Repotting guide

When & how to repot Mountain Germander (Teucrium montanum)

Also called Mountain Germander, Creeping Germander.

More about mountain germander

About Mountain Germander

Teucrium montanum · also called Mountain Germander, Creeping Germander · flowering

Teucrium montanum is a low, mat-forming evergreen subshrub native to calcareous rocky hillsides and limestone grasslands across central and southern Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula to the Balkans. It bears narrow, grey-green aromatic leaves and produces creamy-white to pale yellow flowers on short terminal heads from June to September, attracting bees and butterflies. Full sun and sharply drained, alkaline soil are essential; it excels in rock gardens and dry-stone wall crevices. The plant is mildly toxic if ingested due to diterpene compounds present throughout the Teucrium genus.

Mature size: 10–20 cm tall and 20–30 cm wide.

How to tell mountain germander needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For mountain 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 mountain germander

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Mountain Germander's growth habit — prostrate to mat-forming evergreen subshrub, spreading slowly outward. — sets the pace. Teucrium montanum is a low, mat-forming evergreen subshrub native to calcareous rocky hillsides and limestone grasslands across central and southern Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula to the Balkans. It bears narrow, grey-green aromatic leaves and produces creamy-white to pale yellow flowers on short terminal heads from June to September, attracting bees and butterflies. Full sun and sharply drained, alkaline soil are essential; it excels in rock gardens and dry-stone wall crevices. The plant is mildly toxic if ingested due to diterpene compounds present throughout the Teucrium genus.

What size pot to step mountain germander up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Mountain 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 mountain germander

Spring or summer, while mountain 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 mountain germander

Repot dry. Do not water mountain 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 well-drained, gritty, alkaline to neutral; calcareous or limestone-based soils are ideal 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 mountain 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 mountain 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 mountain germander

Mountain Germander wants very well-drained, gritty, alkaline to neutral; calcareous or limestone-based soils are ideal. Thrives in poor, lean soils — adding grit or limestone chippings improves drainage and mimics its native rocky habitat. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting mountain germander — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot mountain germander?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for mountain germander. Repot mountain germander every 2–3 years into a snug pot of very well-drained, gritty, alkaline to neutral; calcareous or limestone-based soils are ideal, 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 mountain germander need?

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

Should you water mountain germander after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot mountain 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 mountain germander after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting mountain 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.