Shrub · Asteraceae family
cotton lavender
Santolina chamaecyparissus
In short a 10-second read
Cotton lavender (shrub) grows to 0.3–0.61 m tall and 0.61–0.91 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. It flowers in July–August; the flowers are yellow. Hardy to −23 °C.
× spread 0.61–0.91 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: little
Soil: sandy, loamy, gravelly
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
July–August · yellow
Pruning
prune after flowering (September)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
mulch the crown
Overwintering
In winter it needs protection.
Before the first frosts: mulch the crown.
- Mulch the crown
- Hardy to −23 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does cotton lavender flower?
In July–August; the flowers are yellow.
Does cotton lavender tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does cotton lavender need?
At maturity 0.61–0.91 m wide and 0.3–0.61 m tall; recommended spacing 39 cm.
Does cotton lavender survive winter outdoors?
Yes, with protection: mulch the crown.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (20)
- Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder — Santolina chamaecyparissus
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Santolina chamaecyparissus
- RHS Plant Finder — Santolina chamaecyparissus
- Foerster-Stauden, katalóg — Santolina chamaecyparissus
- Bamberger Staudengarten, katalóg — Santolina chamaecyparissus
- Lorberg Baumschulen, katalóg — Santolina chamaecyparissus
- toom — Heiligenkraut 13 cm Topf
- Wikidata (CC0) — Santolina chamaecyparissus
- GBIF Species/Occurrence API — Santolina chamaecyparissus
- BfN — Invasivitätsbewertung Gefäßpflanzen
- RHS - Shrubs: pruning evergreens
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow shrubs
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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