Spanish Germander Plant Care

Spanish Germander (Teucrium gnaphalodes) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Teucrium genus. Spanish Germander is native to the Iberian Peninsula and grows at altitudes between 200 and 1500 m.

Spanish Germander displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Spanish Germander produces small tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Spanish 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.

Spanish Germander thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Teucrium gnaphalodes tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Spanish Germander prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Spanish 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.

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.

Spanish 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.

Spanish 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.

Prune Spanish 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.

Spanish 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.

Spanish Germander can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wall germander plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Spanish 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.

Spanish Germander grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Spanish Germander is native to the Iberian Peninsula and grows at altitudes between 200 and 1500 m. In cooler regions, grow Spanish Germander as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.