shrub RHS Award

Green Lavender Cotton

Santolina rosmarinifolia

Not currently listed at our partner nurseries.

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

24 inches

Width

36 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Evergreen sub-shrub

Native To

Mediterranean

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Santolina rosmarinifolia is a small, mounding evergreen sub-shrub from the Mediterranean region. It is prized for its fine-textured, aromatic, rosemary-like green foliage and cheerful, button-like yellow flowers. Unlike the more common silver-leafed Santolina chamaecyparissus, this species offers vibrant green foliage, providing a fresh color and texture for knot gardens, rockeries, and low, informal hedges.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Its fine-textured, bright green foliage provides year-round structure and contrast in the garden. The cheerful yellow button flowers are a delightful summer bonus. It's excellent for creating patterns in knot gardens or as a formal edging.

The aromatic foliage is a natural insect repellent and can be dried for use in sachets to deter moths. It can be sheared into a low, formal hedge.

The flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinating insects. Its dense growth can provide shelter for small ground-dwelling insects and invertebrates.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

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Planting

How to Grow

Select a site that receives full, direct sunlight all day.
Ensure the soil is sandy, gritty, and exceptionally well-drained.
Dig a hole slightly larger than the plant's root ball.
Place the plant in the hole, with the crown at soil level.
Backfill with the native soil; do not add rich amendments.
Water sparingly after planting; it prefers dry conditions.

Pro Tip

Shear the plant back hard in early spring or after flowering to prevent it from becoming woody and splitting open in the center.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide excellent drainage; amend with sand or gravel if needed.
Plant in full, hot sun for the best growth and aroma.
Prune annually to maintain a compact, dense shape.
Allow the soil to dry out thoroughly between waterings.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy clay or wet soil, as this will cause root rot.
Avoid fertilizing; this plant thrives in poor, lean soil.
Don't plant in shade, which leads to leggy, weak growth.
Avoid overwatering, which is the most common cause of failure.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Aromatic low hedge or border edgingDrought-tolerant rock garden specimenTextural groundcover for sunny slopes

Companion Plants

Lavandula angustifolia Rosmarinus officinalis Sedum 'Autumn Joy' Perovskia atriplicifolia Stachys byzantina

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Green Lavender Cotton questions

What zones can Green Lavender Cotton grow in?

Green Lavender Cotton is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Green Lavender Cotton deer resistant?

Yes — Green Lavender Cotton is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Green Lavender Cotton bloom?

Green Lavender Cotton typically blooms in mid-summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Green Lavender Cotton need full sun?

Green Lavender Cotton does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Green Lavender Cotton drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Green Lavender Cotton handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.