Botanical profile

Green Santolina

Latin name
Santolina rosmarinifolia
Common name
Green Santolina
Type
Mediterranean aromatic perennial
Family
Asteraceae

Green santolina is an aromatic and ornamental perennial plant prized for its finely cut, green to grayish-green foliage with a characteristic fragrance. Its compact, rounded, and well-structured habit makes it an excellent plant for borders, rockeries, herb gardens, patio pots, and sunny flowerbeds. It brings a light and neat texture to landscapes, and pairs very well with lavender, thyme, sage, rosemary, grasses, and other Mediterranean-style plants.

Easy to grow, green santolina prefers a full sun, warm, and well-ventilated location, in light, poor to moderately fertile, and very well-drained soil. It tolerates heat and dry periods very well once established, making it an ideal plant for low-water gardens. It does not tolerate excessive humidity, especially in heavy soil, and benefits from light pruning after flowering to maintain a dense, compact, and harmonious shape.

Both decorative, fragrant, and hardy, green santolina is primarily cultivated for its aromatic foliage, naturally ordered silhouette, and great ease of maintenance. Its yellow button-like flowers add a bright touch to the garden and attract pollinators. It is an excellent perennial for creating an aromatic border, a dry garden, or a sustainable, elegant, and easy-to-maintain natural landscape.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Compact, drought-tolerant, aromatic green foliage
Dry border, rock garden, container, Mediterranean garden, full sun bed
Container growing
Excellent potted plant in a very well-drained container
Seasonal care
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape; avoid heavy, wet soils; protect from excessive winter moisture
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Zone 6
Exposure
Sun
Watering
Moderate; allow the soil surface to dry completely between waterings
Humidity
Low humidity; prefers dry and very well-drained soils
Fertilization
Light compost in spring; avoid excessive fertilizer
Soil type
Poor to medium, dry, chalky, and very well-drained soil
Soil pH
Neutral to alkaline
Minimum temperature
-20 °C
Propagation method
Cuttings or seeds
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer
Flower color
YELLOW
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Persistent to semi-persistent
Shape
Compact and rounded bushy habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches)
Width
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Growth rate
Average growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Lavender, thyme, sage, rosemary
Spacing
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Repellent
Helps repel certain pests

Repellent

Deer
Less attractive or generally tolerated by deer

Deer

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.