Pyrenean Germander Plant Care

Teucrium pyrenaicum L.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Teucrium pyrenaicum, the Pyrenean germander, is a species of germander native to the Pyrenees. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

🌿Shrubs🌱Herbs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Pyrenean Germander?

Plant Pyrenean 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.

What Is the Pyrenean Germander?

Pyrenean Germander (Teucrium pyrenaicum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Teucrium genus. Pyrenean Germander is native to the Pyrenees. Pyrenean Germander is also known as Mountain Germander.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Pyrenean Germander?

Water a young or newly planted Pyrenean 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 Pyrenean Germander Need?

Pyrenean Germander thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Pyrenean Germander Prefer?

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

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Pyrenean Germander?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Pyrenean Germander?

Feed Pyrenean 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 Pyrenean 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.

Pyrenean 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 Pyrenean Germander?

Pyrenean 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 Pyrenean Germander?

Prune Pyrenean 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 Pyrenean Germander in Winter?

Pyrenean 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 Pyrenean Germander?

Pyrenean 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 Pyrenean Germander Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Pyrenean 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 Pyrenean Germander?

Pyrenean 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 Pyrenean Germander Need?

Pyrenean Germander grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Pyrenean Germander is native to the Pyrenees. In cooler regions, grow Pyrenean Germander as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Pyrenean 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.

Pyrenean 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 pyrenaicum L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 566 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Pyrenean 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.

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