Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum Plant Care

Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum (Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Clinopodium genus. Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum is native to the eastern Mediterranean.

Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum produces small tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum every 7–14 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.

Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum 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 loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

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.

Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum 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.

Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to field calamint plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum 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.

Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Clinopodium serpyllifolium subsp. fruticosum is native to the eastern Mediterranean.