White-stemmed Germander Plant Care
Teucrium albicaule Toelken
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Teucrium albicaule, commonly known as scurfy germander, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, and is endemic to inland areas of Australia. It is a hoary, perennial herb that spreads by root suckers, forming dense stands.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for White-stemmed Germander?
Plant White-stemmed Germander in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the White-stemmed Germander Native To?
What Is the White-stemmed Germander?
White-stemmed Germander (Teucrium albicaule) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Teucrium genus. White-stemmed Germander is native to inland areas of Australia.
White-stemmed Germander displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. White-stemmed Germander produces small tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a White-stemmed Germander?
Water a young or newly planted White-stemmed Germander 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the White-stemmed Germander Need?
White-stemmed Germander thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the White-stemmed Germander Prefer?
Teucrium albicaule tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. White-stemmed Germander prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a White-stemmed Germander?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for White-stemmed Germander to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a White-stemmed Germander?
Feed White-stemmed Germander 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a White-stemmed Germander?
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.
White-stemmed Germander 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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a White-stemmed Germander?
White-stemmed Germander can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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.
How Do You Prune a White-stemmed Germander?
Prune White-stemmed Germander 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.
How Do You Care for a White-stemmed Germander in Winter?
White-stemmed Germander 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.
How Do You Propagate a White-stemmed Germander?
White-stemmed Germander can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wall germander plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the White-stemmed Germander Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list White-stemmed Germander, 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 White-stemmed Germander?
White-stemmed Germander 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 White-stemmed Germander Need?
White-stemmed Germander grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. White-stemmed Germander is native to inland areas of Australia. In cooler regions, grow White-stemmed Germander as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
White-stemmed Germander 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 Teucrium genus — compare its care with other Teucrium species on PlantoScan.
Teucrium is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
White-stemmed Germander thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Teucrium Species
Other Teucrium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Teucrium albicaule Toelken, family Lamiaceae (first published in J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 7: 296 (1985)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list White-stemmed Germander, 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 12a, 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.
