Growing guide

How to grow cistus

With their dainty tissue-paper-like flowers, cistus are among the most drought tolerant of shrubs. This, and their ability to thrive in poor, stony soil, makes them ideal for Mediterranean-style, coastal and gravel gardens. They're easy to grow, need little maintenance and flower abundantly all summer.

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Quick facts

  • Bushy, spreading, evergreen shrubs
  • A profusion of short-lived flowers in summer
  • Easy to grow and drought tolerant
  • Plant in full sun and free-draining soil
  • Mostly hardy in the UK, but avoid very cold or windy sites
  • Take cuttings or sow seeds to produce new plants

All you need to know

Before you get started
Planting
Ongoing care
Pruning and training
Propagating
Problems
While we think all this information will be helpful to you, we always recommend to read the instruction labels on your plants.

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