Grey-leaved cistus Cistus albidus
Grey-leaved cistus (Cistus albidus) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Cistaceae family, native to SW Europe and NW Africa (garrigue on limestone). It grows 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) tall and 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 90 cm (35 in) apart.
Plan Grey-leaved cistus in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Grey-leaved cistus at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cistaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 90 cm (35 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 -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 5–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | SW Europe and NW Africa (garrigue on limestone) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇬🇷 Greece |
Is Grey-leaved cistus toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
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 Grey-leaved cistus
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Grey-leaved cistus in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (6 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (4 plants)
- The Butchart Gardens (5 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (7 plants)
Questions about Grey-leaved cistus
- How far apart should I plant Grey-leaved cistus?
- About 90 cm (35 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft).
- Does Grey-leaved cistus need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Grey-leaved cistus need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Grey-leaved cistus?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Grey-leaved cistus flower?
- From about May for 5–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Grey-leaved cistus 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. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Grey-leaved cistus?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Grey-leaved cistus. 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
- Kew Gardens: Palm House, Temperate House, Rock Garden and Mediterranean Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Felted grey leaves; crumpled pink flowers last a day each. Resinous, fire-adapted shrub: seeds germinate after fire. Keep away from buildings in fire-prone areas.
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
- Gum rockrose Cistus ladanifer
- Common rock rose (sun rose) Helianthemum nummularium
- Sage-leaved rock rose Cistus salviifolius
- Montpellier rock rose (narrow-leaved cistus) Cistus monspeliensis
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander