How far apart should I plant Greek strawberry tree?

About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).

Does Greek strawberry tree need full sun?

Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Greek strawberry tree need?

Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.

How cold-hardy is Greek strawberry tree?

It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.

When does Greek strawberry tree flower?

From about March for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Greek strawberry tree poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; eating many fruits may upset the stomach.

What grows well with Greek strawberry tree?

There is no well-documented companion pairing for Greek strawberry tree. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).

Greek strawberry tree Arbutus andrachne

Greek strawberry tree (Arbutus andrachne) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Ericaceae family, native to Eastern Mediterranean, from Greece and Crimea to Turkey and the Levant. It grows 4–10 m (13–33 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.

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Greek strawberry tree at a glance

Type	Perennial tree, evergreen
Family	Ericaceae
Mature height	4–10 m (13–33 ft)
Mature spread	4–8 m (13–26 ft)
Spacing	5 m (16 ft) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
Water	Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none
Soil pH	5.5–8
Cold hardiness	About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8)
Heat stress	Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F)
Flowering	from about March for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Moderate
Pollinator value	High
Edible	Yes: ripe fruit (raw or in jam; bland)
Native to	Eastern Mediterranean, from Greece and Crimea to Turkey and the Levant
Common in gardens of	🇬🇷 Greece, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States

Is Greek strawberry tree toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Not poisonous; eating many fruits may upset the stomach.

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 Greek strawberry tree

No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.

Keep apart or take care

caution With Mountain laurel: Mountain laurel and rhododendrons are hosts of Phytophthora ramorum (sudden oak death), which spreads from infected foliage between neighbouring plants. Evidence B
caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B

Questions about Greek strawberry tree

How far apart should I plant Greek strawberry tree?: About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
Does Greek strawberry tree need full sun?: Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Greek strawberry tree need?: Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
How cold-hardy is Greek strawberry tree?: It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
When does Greek strawberry tree flower?: From about March for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Greek strawberry tree poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; eating many fruits may upset the stomach.
What grows well with Greek strawberry tree?: There is no well-documented companion pairing for Greek strawberry tree. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).

Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
Flora of Israel Online, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Notes and assumptions

A summer-dry plant: water it through its first summer, then rarely or never; it wants sun, lean soil and sharp drainage, and is killed by summer irrigation and heavy clay more often than by drought.
Famous for its satin-smooth bark that peels in summer from green to cinnamon and coral red. Clusters of white bells in spring and small orange fruits. Protected in Israel, where it is a symbol of the Carmel and Galilee woods.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

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Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus
Satsuki azalea Rhododendron indicum
Japanese andromeda (pieris) Pieris japonica
Heather (ling) Calluna vulgaris