Also known as Germander · 171 saves
Teucrium
Teucrium, the genus most gardeners know as germander. We track 5 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 5 most-saved Teucrium varieties
2 species of Teucrium
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Teucrium in Sow
Save the Teucrium you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Teucrium
Whats common across all Teucrium varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them.
The Teucrium year
- PruneFebruary, March and August100% of varieties
Lightly shear or shape in late winter or after summer bloom to maintain density.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October60% of varieties
Plant in well-draining soil in spring or early fall.
- MulchMarch40% of varieties
Apply a thin layer of gravel or stone mulch, avoiding the crown.
- Spring CleanupFebruary40% of varieties
Remove any winter-damaged foliage.
- DeadheadJuly and August40% of varieties
Cut back spent flower spikes to tidy appearance
Do
- Water during dry spells 🌱
- Water consistently during dry spells 🌱
- Prune after flowering to shape the plant
- Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during active growth
- Prune after flowering to encourage bushiness 🌱
Avoid
- Allow soil to become waterlogged ❌
- Overwater to avoid root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t fertilize late in the season
What goes wrong with Teucrium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil regularly |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap. |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap and increase humidity |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering. |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve soil drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply sulfur-based fungicide or organic neem oil |
Making more Teucrium
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch cuttings in late spring
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil
- Keep humidity high and roots develop in 6 weeks
Seeds
- Sow seeds on surface of soil in early spring
- Lightly cover with soil and keep moist
- Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks
Teucrium questions
How many types of Teucrium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Teucrium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 171 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Teucrium grow in?
Across its varieties, Teucrium covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Teucrium bloom?
Most Teucrium varieties bloom in summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Teucrium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.