Overview
Vitex agnus-castus is a bushy shrubs in the genus Vitex, part of the Lamiaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1.5-2.5 metres tall and 1.5-2.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 5-10 years. Vitex agnus-castus grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. It is drought resistant. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, mediterranean climate plants, flower borders and beds and wall side borders.
About
Vitex agnus-castus (also called vitex, chaste tree / chastetree, chasteberry, Abraham's balm, lilac chastetree, or monk's pepper) is a plant native of the Mediterranean region. It is one of the few temperate-zone species of Vitex, which is on the whole a genus of tropical and subtropical flowering plants. Vitex is a cross-pollinating plant, but its self-pollination has been recorded. It has been long believed to be an anaphrodisiac – leading to its name as "chaste tree" – but its effectiveness for such action remains unproven. Mature plants reach roughly 1.5-2.5 metres tall and 1.5-2.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. In the garden it prefers full sun and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and west-facing and south-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Vitex agnus-castus
About the genus
Vitex is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae containing about 210 species. Common names include chaste tree or chastetree, traditionally referring to V. agnus-castus, but often applied to other species, as well, and pūriri for the New Zealand species V.
Wikipedia contributors, "Vitex", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Vitex
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Vitex
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Vitex agnus-castus size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Vitex agnus-castus
- Propagation
- Seed sown in autumn or spring, Semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Vitex agnus-castus?
Vitex agnus-castus prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Vitex agnus-castus need?
Vitex agnus-castus is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
How big does Vitex agnus-castus grow?
Vitex agnus-castus reaches a height of 1.5-2.5 metres and a spread of 1.5-2.5 metres. It takes around 5-10 years to reach full size.
Is Vitex agnus-castus hardy in the UK?
Vitex agnus-castus has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Vitex agnus-castus?
Seed sown in autumn or spring, Semi-ripe cuttings in summer.