Shrubby Dittany Plant Care
Pseudodictamnus acetabulosus (L.) Salmaki & Siadati
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pseudodictamnus acetabulosus, the Greek horehound, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native to south-eastern Greece, Crete, and western Turkey. It is a compact, evergreen subshrub growing to 0.5 metres (20 in).
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Shrubby Dittany?
Water Shrubby Dittany every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Shrubby Dittany?
Shrubby Dittany (Pseudodictamnus acetabulosus) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Pseudodictamnus genus. Shrubby Dittany is native to south-eastern Greece, Crete, and western Turkey. Shrubby Dittany is also known as Mediterranean Dittany.
Shrubby Dittany displays a low mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Shrubby Dittany produces small clusters of purple tubular flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Shrubby Dittany?
Pseudodictamnus acetabulosus requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Shrubby Dittany Need?
Shrubby Dittany thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Shrubby Dittany Prefer?
Pseudodictamnus acetabulosus grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Shrubby Dittany prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Shrubby Dittany?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Shrubby Dittany to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Shrubby Dittany?
Feed Shrubby Dittany every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Shrubby Dittany?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Shrubby Dittany?
Shrubby Dittany can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pseudodictamnus hirsutus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Shrubby Dittany Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Shrubby Dittany, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Shrubby Dittany?
Shrubby Dittany 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Shrubby Dittany Need?
Shrubby Dittany grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Shrubby Dittany is native to south-eastern Greece, Crete, and western Turkey. In cooler regions, grow Shrubby Dittany as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Shrubby Dittany is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Pseudodictamnus genus — compare its care with other Pseudodictamnus species on PlantoScan.
Pseudodictamnus is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Shrubby Dittany thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pseudodictamnus acetabulosus (L.) Salmaki & Siadati, family Lamiaceae (first published in Taxon 67: 779 (2018)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Shrubby Dittany, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Shrubby Dittany Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species