Cotton lavender Santolina chamaecyparissus
Cotton lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Asteraceae family, native to Western and central Mediterranean (dry rocky hills). It grows 40–60 cm (16–24 in) tall and 60–90 cm (24–35 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Cotton lavender in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Cotton lavender at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 60–90 cm (24–35 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 5–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Western and central Mediterranean (dry rocky hills) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy |
Is Cotton lavender toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves
Aromatic oils can irritate skin and upset the stomach if eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Cotton lavender
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Cotton lavender in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (5 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (8 plants)
Questions about Cotton lavender
- How far apart should I plant Cotton lavender?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60–90 cm (24–35 in).
- Does Cotton lavender need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cotton lavender need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Cotton lavender?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Cotton lavender flower?
- From about June for 5–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Cotton lavender poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Aromatic oils can irritate skin and upset the stomach if eaten.
- What grows well with Cotton lavender?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cotton lavender. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Silver, finely cut aromatic foliage, clipped into low hedges in knot gardens; button flowers in July. Oily, so flammable when dry.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
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