Teucrium lucidrys
Teucrium lucidrys · Lamiaceae
The gardener's calendar
Teucrium lucidrys is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Family
- Lamiaceae (mint)
- Plant type
- Perennial herbaceous
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark green and glossy
- Flowering
- July to September, pink-purple flowers
- Adult height
- 60 cm tall
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15°C
- Origin
- Central and Mediterranean Europe
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Full sun, dry mineral soil - that's the formula. It's a Mediterranean shrublet: plant on a slight slope or raised bed.
The common mistake
Planting it in rich, moist soil: it literally suffocates and won't flower.
The pro's trick
Cut it back hard in February-March (before flowering) to keep it compact and super floriferous.
Seasonal watch
Wet autumn: with regular rainfall and heavy soil, watch out for root rot.
Care
Sunlight
Wall germander thrives in full sun, with a minimum of 6 hours per day. It tolerates light shade but will flower less abundantly. Choose a well-exposed location for a compact and floriferous plant.
Watering
Very frugal with water once established, this plant resists drought well. Water moderately in spring and summer during prolonged dry spells. In winter and autumn, watering is unnecessary in most regions.
Soil
Plant wall germander in well-drained, light soil, preferably chalky or neutral. It fears waterlogging and winter moisture. Poor to average soil suits it perfectly; no enrichment is necessary.
Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering (September-October) to maintain a compact shape. Light winter pruning can be done in late winter if the plant becomes too sprawling. Avoid severe pruning as it may weaken the plant.
Fertilizer
Wall germander requires no fertilizer. It thrives best in modest, lean soil. Excessive fertilizer would promote overly lush foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
This plant is very robust and rarely affected by serious diseases. Watch for powdery mildew in warm, humid weather; good air circulation is enough to prevent it. In overly wet soil, root rot may occur; improve drainage as a priority.
Did you know?
Wall germander was once renowned for its medicinal properties and featured in European pharmacopeias. Its name 'wall germander' comes from the resemblance of its glossy leaves to miniature oak leaves. This discreet and hardy plant remains a precious ally in Mediterranean and rocky gardens.
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.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.