Creeping Germander
Teucrium chamaedrys Prostratum
A fragrant creeping groundcover with pale pink flowers that thrives in well-drained soil.
Evergreen and hardy in USDA zones 5-9, it easily withstands low-desert frost and takes summer heat well provided the soil stays sharply drained.
AMWUA Notes
A low-water, shearable Mediterranean edging plant; its only real requirement is excellent drainage.
Care Guide
Water every 10-14 days once established and let the soil dry between; like other Mediterranean subshrubs it demands sharp drainage and rots in wet ground.
Shear lightly after bloom to keep the low mat dense and neat; it takes shearing well and can be edged crisply as a low border.
Little feeding is needed; one light spring application maintains healthy dark-green foliage.
Trouble-free apart from root rot in poorly drained soil.
Pale pink flowers rise over aromatic evergreen foliage in winter and spring; foliage stays attractive through frost with good cold tolerance.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Prefers well-drained, gritty, alkaline soils; thrives in poor rocky ground and rots in heavy wet soil.
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
Low feeder.
Division, semi-hardwood cuttings, or rooted layers; spreads slowly by rhizomes.
1.5-2 ft on center as a low shearable edging
Spreads slowly by rhizomes but stays well behaved; not an aggressive invader.
Placement Tips
- •Space 18-24 in apart as a low, shearable edging along walks and formal Mediterranean beds.
- •Excellent in rock gardens and gritty berms where drainage is guaranteed.
- •Use as a tidy front-of-border ribbon under taller flowering shrubs.
- •Give full sun and well-drained soil; avoid overwatered lawn edges.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Creeping Germander. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Creeping Germander — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Creeping Germander need in Phoenix?
Creeping Germander is a low-water groundcover once established. Water every 10-14 days once established and let the soil dry between; like other Mediterranean subshrubs it demands sharp drainage and rots in wet ground. A low-water, shearable Mediterranean edging plant; its only real requirement is excellent drainage.
How big does Creeping Germander get?
Expect roughly 1 ft tall and 3 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 1.5-2 ft on center as a low shearable edging of spacing when planting. Spreads slowly by rhizomes but stays well behaved; not an aggressive invader.
Can you plant Creeping Germander near a pool?
Yes. Creeping Germander is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Creeping Germander handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Creeping Germander is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Evergreen and hardy in USDA zones 5-9, it easily withstands low-desert frost and takes summer heat well provided the soil stays sharply drained. Pale pink flowers rise over aromatic evergreen foliage in winter and spring; foliage stays attractive through frost with good cold tolerance.
Does Creeping Germander have thorns?
No. Creeping Germander is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Creeping Germander safe around pets?
Creeping Germander is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Creeping Germander bloom in Arizona?
Creeping Germander blooms in winter-spring, with pale pink flowers. The flowers are fragrant. The bloom draws bees.
How much maintenance does Creeping Germander need?
Creeping Germander is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Shear lightly after bloom to keep the low mat dense and neat; it takes shearing well and can be edged crisply as a low border.
What kind of soil does Creeping Germander need?
Prefers well-drained, gritty, alkaline soils; thrives in poor rocky ground and rots in heavy wet soil. Nutrient needs are low. Little feeding is needed; one light spring application maintains healthy dark-green foliage.
Is Creeping Germander native to Arizona?
No. Creeping Germander is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Horticultural cultivar, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.