Bloom
Green Santolina

Asteraceae

Green Santolina: Complete Care Guide

Santolina rosmarinifolia

Easy โ˜€๏ธ Direct sun ๐Ÿพ Pet safe

Plant in full sun in poor, sharply drained soil and water sparingly once established. Shear after flowering and lightly in early spring to keep it compact. Wet, heavy soil is its main enemy.

๐Ÿ’ง Watering

Every 14 days

โ˜€๏ธ Light

Direct sun

๐ŸŒก๏ธ Temperature

-15ยฐ - ยฐC

๐Ÿ’จ Humidity

% - %

Categories

What is Green Santolina?

Green Santolina (Santolina rosmarinifolia) is a easy-care plant from the Asteraceae family. Green santolina (Santolina rosmarinifolia, syn. S. virens) is a small evergreen subshrub from the western Mediterranean, in the daisy family. It forms a dense, rounded mound up to about 60 cm tall of thread-like, bright green, aromatic leaves that resemble rosemary. In early to mid summer it is cove...

Green Santolina grows up to 60cm, spread of 90cm, watering every 14 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.

Unlike many tropical plants, Green Santolina tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Green Santolina is safe to keep around pets.

How to Care for Green Santolina?

TLDR: Green Santolina needs Direct sun, watering every 14 days, and temperatures between -15-30ยฐC with 40-70% humidity.

๐Ÿ’ง

How Often Should You Water Green Santolina?

Water regularly only during the first season. Once established, water deeply but rarely, roughly every 2 weeks in summer dry spells and almost never in winter.

โ˜€๏ธ

How Much Light Does Green Santolina Need?

Full sun, 6 or more hours a day, ideally in a south- or west-facing, sheltered spot. In shade it becomes floppy and flowers less.

๐Ÿชด

What Is the Best Soil for Green Santolina?

Perfectly drained stony, sandy or gravelly soil, poor to moderately fertile; it tolerates slightly chalky soil. Avoid heavy clay that stays wet.

๐Ÿบ

What Pot Should You Use for Green Santolina?

Terracotta or other porous pot with large drainage holes and a gritty mix, if not grown in the ground

What Is Green Santolina and Where Does It Come From?

Green santolina (Santolina rosmarinifolia, syn. S. virens) is a small evergreen subshrub from the western Mediterranean, in the daisy family. It forms a dense, rounded mound up to about 60 cm tall of thread-like, bright green, aromatic leaves that resemble rosemary. In early to mid summer it is covered with yellow button flowers on long stalks. It is drought, deer and heat tolerant.

How to Propagate Green Santolina?

๐ŸŒฑ

Stem cutting

Keep cuttings on the dry side; too much moisture causes them to rot before they root.

  1. 1
    Take 5-8 cm semi-ripe cuttings from non-flowering shoots in late summer
  2. 2
    Strip the lower leaves
  3. 3
    Insert into a gritty mix of compost and sand or perlite
  4. 4
    Keep in bright light, barely moist, until rooted
  5. 5
    Pot on and plant out the following spring

Materials needed:

Clean pruning shearsGritty cutting compostSmall pots
โฑ๏ธ Time: 3-5 weeks ๐Ÿ“Š Success rate: high ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Best season: Summer
๐ŸŒฑ

Seed

Cuttings are faster and keep the plant true to type.

  1. 1
    Sow on the surface of a free-draining seed mix in spring
  2. 2
    Cover very lightly with grit
  3. 3
    Keep at about 15-20 ยฐC and barely moist
  4. 4
    Transplant seedlings once they have several true leaves

Materials needed:

SeedsSeed trayFree-draining seed mixGrit
โฑ๏ธ Time: 2-4 weeks to germinate ๐Ÿ“Š Success rate: medium ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Best season: Spring

How Big Does Green Santolina Grow?

TLDR: Green Santolina can reach up to 60cm tall with Medium growth rate.

๐Ÿ“

Max height

60cm

โ†”๏ธ

Spread

90cm

๐Ÿ“ˆ

Growth rate

Medium

๐Ÿƒ

Foliage

Evergreen

Plant Uses

๐ŸŒบ

Ornamental

Great for decoration

๐Ÿ‘ƒ

Aromatic

Pleasant fragrance

Is your plant showing symptoms?

Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:

What Diseases Commonly Affect Green Santolina?

TLDR: Green Santolina is susceptible to 4 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.

Fun Facts

๐Ÿ’ก

Its fine leaves look like rosemary, which gives it the name rosmarinifolia.

๐Ÿ’ก

It is said to be fire resistant and is used in water-wise and xeriscape gardens.

๐Ÿ’ก

It is sometimes sold under its older name, Santolina virens.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water green santolina?
Once established, very little: deep watering about every 2 weeks in dry summer weather is enough. Overwatering and poorly drained soil cause root and crown rot.
When should I prune Santolina rosmarinifolia?
Shear off the spent flowers after blooming and trim lightly in early spring. Without pruning it becomes leggy, woody and floppy.
Is green santolina hardy?
It is usually hardy to about USDA zone 6 (some sources say 5) if the soil is dry in winter. Wet cold is more harmful than frost.
Is green santolina deer resistant?
Yes. Its aromatic foliage is rarely eaten by deer or rabbits.

Compare with similar plants

Attribute Difficulty Light Watering Pet Safe
Field Maple Easy Bright indirect 14d โœ“
Iberian Houseleek Easy Direct sun 14d โœ“
Silver Birch Easy Direct sun 14d โœ“
Common Blanketflower Easy Direct sun 10d โœ“

Choose & Compare

vs

Sources & References

Related plants