Repotting guide

When & how to repot Tree Germander (Teucrium fruticans)

Also called Tree germander, Shrubby germander, Silver germander.

More about tree germander

About Tree Germander

Teucrium fruticans · also called Tree germander, Shrubby germander · herb

Teucrium fruticans is an evergreen, silver-leaved shrub native to the western Mediterranean — Portugal, Spain, southern France, and North Africa — where it colonises dry rocky slopes and garrigue. Its stems and undersides of leaves are densely white-felted, giving a striking year-round silver effect, while two-lipped pale lavender-blue flowers appear from spring through summer. The most important care fact is that it cannot tolerate prolonged freezing temperatures or waterlogged soil, so in colder gardens it must be given wall protection or overwintered under glass. Teucrium fruticans contains diterpenoids and should be treated as mildly toxic to pets.

Mature size: 90–180 cm tall and 90–150 cm wide, depending on climate and pruning.

How to tell tree germander needs repotting

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

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Tree Germander's growth habit — upright to spreading evergreen shrub with arching silver stems and opposite felted leaves. — sets the pace. Teucrium fruticans is an evergreen, silver-leaved shrub native to the western Mediterranean — Portugal, Spain, southern France, and North Africa — where it colonises dry rocky slopes and garrigue. Its stems and undersides of leaves are densely white-felted, giving a striking year-round silver effect, while two-lipped pale lavender-blue flowers appear from spring through summer. The most important care fact is that it cannot tolerate prolonged freezing temperatures or waterlogged soil, so in colder gardens it must be given wall protection or overwintered under glass. Teucrium fruticans contains diterpenoids and should be treated as mildly toxic to pets.

What size pot to step tree germander up to

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

Spring or summer, while tree 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 tree germander

Repot dry. Do not water tree 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 well-drained, lean, neutral to alkaline 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 tree 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 tree 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 tree germander

Tree Germander wants well-drained, lean, neutral to alkaline. Performs best in sandy or gritty loam; excellent on chalk or limestone. Heavy or clay soils must be broken up with coarse grit to prevent winter waterlogging. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting tree germander — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot tree germander?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for tree germander. Repot tree germander every 2–3 years into a snug pot of well-drained, lean, neutral to alkaline, 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 tree germander need?

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

Should you water tree germander after repotting?

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

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting tree 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.