Lavender Cotton
Santolina chamaecyparissus
An evergreen, woody-based perennial or small shrub known for its dense, silvery-grey, finely divided aromatic foliage and bright yellow button-like flowers.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light per day for best foliage color and flower production.
- Water
- Low watering needs. It is very drought-tolerant; allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering leads to root rot.
- Growth
- Evergreen mounding shrub that grows 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Slow to moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun and exceptionally well-draining soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and prefers lean soil with little to no fertilizer. Prune hard in spring to maintain shape and prevent woodiness.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light per day for best foliage color and flower production.
Watering
Low watering needs. It is very drought-tolerant; allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering leads to root rot.
Soil
Well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil; prefers alkaline to neutral pH (6.5 to 8.0) and thrives in poor soil conditions.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9
Growth habit
Evergreen mounding shrub that grows 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Slow to moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Mid to late summer, producing small (0.5 inch), bright yellow, button-like flower heads on long stalks without ray petals.
Propagation
Propagated by semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer or by division in spring.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to root rot in heavy, wet soils. May suffer from fungal diseases like pythium in humid climates. Spittlebugs occasionally appear.
Similar species
Artemisia species (Wormwood) have similar silver foliage but different flower structures. Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy) has similar yellow buttons but green, fern-like foliage.
Interesting facts
Despite its common name, it is related to daisies, not lavender. Its fragrant foliage is used in Mediterranean 'knot gardens' because it tolerates heavy shearing.