Lycian Jerusalem Sage Care
Phlomis lycia
An extremely drought-loving and hardy shrub with gray, woolly leaves, endemic only to southwestern Turkey. It likes full sun and poor, chalky, very well-drained soil. It is a valuable species for natural gardens, rock gardens and dry landscapes.
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.
- Fertilizing: Not needed; it should not be given.
- Pruning: Not needed. Only dry branches that are aesthetically bothersome can be removed.
- Plant protection: Not needed. It is naturally resistant to pests and diseases.
- General care: Dormancy period.
- Pests & diseases: No observation is needed. Excellent drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
- 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 -15 °C.
- General care: Rest period continues.
- 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 -15 °C.
- Watering: Water only newly planted seedlings.
- Fertilizing: It must absolutely not be given.
- General care: New shoots appear slowly. A suitable time for planting new plants.
- Watering: Not needed for young saplings.
- General care: Growth accelerates, and flower buds form.
- 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: After flowering, the spent flower stalks can be cut only if a more compact form is desired. It is generally left to itself.
- General care: Flowering continues.
- 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.
- General care: It shows full tolerance to the hottest and driest conditions.
- 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: Dried seed heads remain on the branches.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Fertilizing: It must absolutely not be given.
- Plant protection: Not required, naturally hardy.
- General care: Propagation by collecting its seeds can be tried.
- Watering: Usually not required; autumn rains are starting.
- General care: A suitable time for planting new plants.
- 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.
- 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 -15 °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.
Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.
Browse all plant guides