Last updated on December 24th, 2024 at 08:05 am
Santolina Plant (Santolina chamaecyparissus). There are several types of Santolina and the most common one is the Gray Cotton variety. Also called the cotton lavender plant. A nice small pale yellow button-like flower. For most gardeners, it is considered a herb but many use it for ornamental purposes. For something different in your Xeriscape yard try the Santolina Plant. It is a deer and animal-resistant plant and almost maintenance-free.
Type of soil it needs
It loves sandy alkaline soil perfect for the dry arid Southwest. It is drought tolerant once it becomes established usually after the first year of planting.
It will grow to about 2ft. in height and 3-5ft. in width. Once it grows to its maximum height it tends to split in the middle and drop down on both sides. To avoid this problem prune in mid-winter before the plant starts to grow in early spring.
Where to place Santolina
Place them in rock gardens with other drought-tolerant plants. They like sandy soil and amending your soil with compost or potting soils is not recommended. Be sure to keep it away from sprinkler systems as it will develop fungal diseases if too much water is applied.
Care of Santolina Plants
Santolina plants thrive with minimal care, making them perfect for low-maintenance gardens. Place yours in well-draining soil and ensure they get full sun—they hate soggy roots. Water sparingly; these drought-tolerant plants prefer dry soil once established. Prune them in spring to keep their shape and promote fresh growth. Notice them looking scraggly? Give them a harder trim after flowering, but avoid cutting into woody stems. They’re not heavy feeders, so skip the fertilizer. Do they have poor soil? Santolina doesn’t mind—it actually does best in lean, gritty conditions. Keep an eye out for overwatering; it’s their biggest downfall.
Water thoroughly during the first spring, and summer seasons. Then only occasional watering after that. Trim back during the winter season. No fertilizer is required for the Santolina Plant just initial watering then trimming back during the winter seasons. Learn more about this plant at Wikipedia.
Greenhouse Manager, Master Gardener, and Webmaster.
If you have any questions or enjoyed this post, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
