Wall germander
Teucrium chamaedrys · Lamiaceae
📷 Franz Xaver · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Chiens et chats : huiles essentielles toxiques, ingestion cause troubles hépatiques et gastro-intestinaux. Humains : même danger, enfants sensibles.
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant wall germander: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Type
- Perennial herb
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Flowering
- June to August, pink-mauve flowers
- Mature height
- 20 to 30 cm
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -15°C)
- Origin
- Southern and central Europe
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Germander hates winter moisture. Plant it in raised beds or rock gardens.
The common mistake
Watering in autumn-winter 'to support it'.
The pro's trick
Divide it every 2-3 years in spring to keep plants young and dense.
Care
Exposure
Wall germander thrives in full sun to display generous blooms. It tolerates light partial shade but flowers less abundantly. Plant it sheltered from cold winds in exposed areas.
Watering
Very water-efficient once established. Water moderately at planting time, then let rainfall take care of it. During prolonged drought, light watering is sufficient. Avoid excess moisture that promotes root rot.
Soil
Choose well-drained, light soil that is slightly alkaline or neutral. Wall germander tolerates poor soils. Improve heavy soil with sand or gravel to ensure good drainage.
Pruning and maintenance
Trim lightly after flowering (August-September) to maintain a compact, dense shape. Regular pruning rejuvenates the plant and encourages better branching. Remove any dead or diseased parts.
Fertilizing
A modest feeder, it thrives in moderately fertile soil. A balanced fertilizer application in spring is sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would promote foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pests and diseases
Very resistant, it mainly fears stagnant moisture that can cause root rot. Inspect regularly for spider mites or aphids during dry periods. Good air circulation prevents most problems.
Did you know?
Wall germander gets its name from the resemblance of its small toothed leaves to oak leaves. Used since antiquity in herbal medicine, it featured in medieval monastery gardens where monks exploited its digestive properties. Today, it remains an ideal companion for Mediterranean gardens and rocky slopes.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- ThymeThymus vulgaris
- LavenderLavandula angustifolia
- SageSalvia officinalis
- RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
- BasilOcimum basilicum
- BugleAjuga reptans
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.