Chaste Tree
Vitex agnus-castus
A fragrant summer bloomer with spires of lavender flowers that draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds from across the garden.
Cold hardy to about 5-10°F from low to high desert; deciduous and frost hardy, blooming on new growth.
AMWUA Notes
Moderate water; hard-prune in winter for the strongest summer bloom.
Care Guide
Deep-soak weekly in summer for best bloom and every two weeks in cooler months; tolerates lawn watering.
Prune in late winter since it blooms on new wood; cut back hard to renew and boost bloom, and deadhead spent spikes to rebloom.
A light spring feeding is sufficient.
Generally pest-free; occasional leaf-footed bugs.
Lavender flower spikes from summer into fall (deadhead to rebloom); deciduous in winter with aromatic foliage.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Adaptable, well-draining loam or native soil; tolerates caliche, rocky ground, and alkaline pH 7.5–8.5
Needs moderate soil.
Low feeder.
Grown easily from softwood or hardwood cuttings, and from seed
15–20 ft
Non-invasive roots; safe near pools and patios, though it drops some flower and leaf litter
Placement Tips
- •About 20 ft as a pollinator and color tree near patios; thornless and pool-safe, though it drops some flower and leaf litter.
- •Deciduous and bare in winter, so pair with evergreens for structure.
- •Grow as a multi-trunk specimen or train up as a single-trunk shade tree.
- •Full sun produces the strongest bloom.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Chaste Tree. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.