Three-flower Vitex (Vitex triflora)

Photo: Guillaume DelaitreCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Three-flower Vitex Plant Care

Vitex triflora Vahl

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

With its unique palmate leaves and striking clusters of lavender flowers, this tropical beauty hails from the Philippines. Plant collectors are drawn to the Vitex triflora for its ornamental appeal and ability to attract pollinators to the garden.

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Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Three-flower Vitex?

Plant Three-flower Vitex in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 10b–12b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Three-flower Vitex Native To?

Native range14 countries

What Is the Three-flower Vitex?

Three-flower Vitex (Vitex triflora) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Vitex genus. Three-flower Vitex is native to Panama and South America.

Three-flower Vitex displays a small tree or large shrub growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Three-flower Vitex produces showy spikes of purple, blue, or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Three-flower Vitex?

Water a young or newly planted Three-flower Vitex every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees 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 Three-flower Vitex Need?

Three-flower Vitex thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Three-flower Vitex Prefer?

Vitex triflora tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Three-flower Vitex prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Three-flower Vitex?

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Three-flower Vitex to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Three-flower Vitex?

Feed Three-flower Vitex every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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 Three-flower Vitex?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Three-flower Vitex is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Three-flower Vitex?

Three-flower Vitex can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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 tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Three-flower Vitex?

Prune Three-flower Vitex 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 tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Three-flower Vitex in Winter?

Three-flower Vitex is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). 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 Three-flower Vitex?

Three-flower Vitex can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chaste tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Three-flower Vitex Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Three-flower Vitex, 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 Three-flower Vitex?

Three-flower Vitex 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 Three-flower Vitex Need?

Three-flower Vitex grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Three-flower Vitex is native to Panama and South America. In cooler regions, grow Three-flower Vitex as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 10b – 12b

Keep exploring plants

Three-flower Vitex 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 Vitex genus — compare its care with other Vitex species on PlantoScan.

Vitex is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.

Three-flower Vitex thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Vitex Species

Other Vitex species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Vitex triflora Vahl, family Lamiaceae (first published in Eclog. Amer. 2: 49 (1798)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Three-flower Vitex, 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.
  • Photo: Guillaume Delaitre, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • 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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