Gum rockrose Cistus ladanifer
Gum rockrose (Cistus ladanifer) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Cistaceae family, native to Iberia and North-west Africa. It grows 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) tall and 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
Plan Gum rockrose in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Gum rockrose at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cistaceae |
| Mature height | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 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 | 4.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Iberia and North-west Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇲🇦 Morocco |
Is Gum rockrose 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 Gum rockrose
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Gum rockrose
- How far apart should I plant Gum rockrose?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft).
- Does Gum rockrose need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Gum rockrose need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Gum rockrose?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Gum rockrose flower?
- From about May for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Gum rockrose 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 Gum rockrose?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Gum rockrose. 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).
- Flora iberica, Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC (Madrid)
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Sticky aromatic leaves exude labdanum resin; papery white flowers with a crimson blotch each last one day.
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
- Grey-leaved cistus Cistus albidus
- 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