Repotting guide

When & how to repot Aroanian Germander (Teucrium aroanium)

Also called Aroanian germander, Mount Aroania germander.

More about aroanian germander

About Aroanian Germander

Teucrium aroanium · also called Aroanian germander, Mount Aroania germander · flowering

Teucrium aroanium is a compact, mat-forming sub-shrub endemic to the high mountain zones of the Peloponnese in Greece, particularly on the limestone peaks of Mount Aroania (Chelmos). It forms low, spreading cushions of small, grey-green to silver leaves studded with small pink to purple flowers in summer, making it an ideal alpine or rock-garden subject. The critical care point is excellent drainage and grit, mirroring its high-altitude scree habitat; it abhors winter wet far more than frost. As with other Teucrium species, treat as mildly toxic to pets.

Mature size: 5–10 cm tall and 20–40 cm wide.

Watch for — Winter wet rot: The leading cause of loss in cultivation; the crown and roots are highly susceptible to fungal rots in persistently wet winter soil. A pane of glass over the plant or alpine house protection resolves this.

How to tell aroanian germander needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For aroanian germander, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot aroanian germander

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Aroanian Germander's growth habit — low, spreading mat-forming sub-shrub forming tight silvery cushions. — sets the pace. Teucrium aroanium is a compact, mat-forming sub-shrub endemic to the high mountain zones of the Peloponnese in Greece, particularly on the limestone peaks of Mount Aroania (Chelmos). It forms low, spreading cushions of small, grey-green to silver leaves studded with small pink to purple flowers in summer, making it an ideal alpine or rock-garden subject. The critical care point is excellent drainage and grit, mirroring its high-altitude scree habitat; it abhors winter wet far more than frost. As with other Teucrium species, treat as mildly toxic to pets.

What size pot to step aroanian germander up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Aroanian Germander stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot aroanian germander

Spring or summer, while aroanian germander is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting aroanian germander

Repot dry. Do not water aroanian germander for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty very sharply drained, gritty, calcareous or neutral ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set aroanian germander at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep aroanian germander completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for aroanian germander

Aroanian Germander wants very sharply drained, gritty, calcareous or neutral. Best grown in a 50:50 mix of horticultural grit and loam, or planted in a raised scree bed; this plant comes from limestone scree and cannot tolerate heavy or moisture-retentive soils. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting aroanian germander — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot aroanian germander?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for aroanian germander. Repot aroanian germander every 2–3 years into a snug pot of very sharply drained, gritty, calcareous or neutral, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does aroanian germander need?

When is the best time of year to repot aroanian germander?

Should you water aroanian germander after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot aroanian germander into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise aroanian germander after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting aroanian germander. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.