Laurel-Leaved Rockrose Care
Cistus laurifolius
A hardy evergreen shrub whose homeland is the Mediterranean basin, which includes Turkey. It loves full sun and poor, well-drained soils; once established it never wants summer irrigation or fertilizing, and it is ideal for dry gardens.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient.
- General care: None; leave the plant to itself.
- Pests & diseases: The only risk is root rot in soil where drainage is not excellent.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -12 °C.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is sufficient.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -12 °C.
- Watering: Not required, spring rainfall is sufficient. Only newly planted saplings should be watered.
- Fertilizing: Absolutely not needed. Fertilizing causes weak growth.
- Pruning: Not needed. Wait for flowering.
- General care: The plant wakes up and forms flower buds.
- Pruning: Not needed. Flowering begins.
- General care: The plant is covered with white, showy flowers.
- Pruning: Not needed. Flowering peaks.
- General care: Drainage is vital for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm, and keep the root collar above the surrounding soil level.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: **The best time to prune is this month.** Immediately after flowering, trim lightly with shears (only the tips of the current year's new shoots) to keep the plant more compact. Never cut old, woody branches.
- General care: This light pruning maintains the plant's shape.
- Pests & diseases: Summer watering is the biggest mistake and can kill the plant.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Pruning: Prune as soon as flowering ends. Next year's flower buds form over the summer; late pruning reduces flowering.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: The plant is fully adapted to summer drought.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: The perfect time of year to plant a new rockrose seedling. Warm soil and approaching rains allow it to root without any need for watering.
- Watering: Not required; autumn precipitation is sufficient.
- General care: With the rains the plant revives and prepares for winter.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is sufficient.
- General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
- General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
- Pests & diseases: The only risk is the roots staying constantly in water in places with poor drainage.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -12 °C.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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