Sticky Jerusalem Sage Care
Phlomis viscosa
A hardy, semi-evergreen shrub native to Turkey, known for its broad, slightly sticky leaves. Its rings of yellow flowers that open in summer attract bees. It likes full sun and well-drained, poor soil and is very drought tolerant.
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.
- Pruning: Not needed. The main pruning is done after flowering.
- General care: Dormancy period. Basal leaves usually survive winter. If dried flower stalks are left, they provide decorative interest in winter.
- Pests & diseases: Excellent drainage is important against the risk of 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: Basal leaves worn out over winter can be removed.
- 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 (10 L/week if there is no rain).
- Fertilizing: It must absolutely not be given.
- General care: New leaves emerge. A suitable time for planting new plants or division.
- Watering: Not needed for young saplings.
- General care: Flower stalks begin to rise.
- 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 ends, if a tidier look is desired, the flower stalks can be cut at the base. This is the main pruning time.
- General care: Main flowering period.
- 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 can be a food source for birds.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Fertilizing: It must absolutely not be given.
- Pruning: Not needed. Dried flower stalks can be decorative in winter too.
- General care: A good time to propagate by division.
- 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