Montpellier Rockrose Plant Care

Montpellier Rockrose (Cistus monspeliensis) belongs to the Cistaceae family within the Cistus genus. Montpellier Rockrose is native to southern Europe and northern Africa, in the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub ecosystems of matorral—maquis shrublands. Montpellier Rockrose is also known as Black-leaved Cistus.

Montpellier Rockrose displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Montpellier Rockrose produces showy, 5-petaled flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Montpellier Rockrose every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Montpellier Rockrose thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cistus monspeliensis tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Montpellier Rockrose prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Montpellier Rockrose to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Montpellier Rockrose every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Montpellier Rockrose is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Montpellier Rockrose can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Montpellier Rockrose while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Montpellier Rockrose is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Montpellier Rockrose can be propagated through softwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to clusius' rockrose plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Montpellier Rockrose is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Montpellier Rockrose grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Montpellier Rockrose is native to southern Europe and northern Africa, in the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub ecosystems of matorral—maquis shrublands. In cooler regions, grow Montpellier Rockrose as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.