Grey-leaved cistus
Cistus albidus
A tough, fast pioneer shrub that colonises bare, poor ground and feeds early pollinators. Short-lived and flammable when dry — nature's first responder, not a long-term fixture.
Grey-leaved cistus in a syntropic line
Grey-leaved cistus belongs in the Ground cover layer as a Placenta species. Aim for 2–4 species for resilient, continuous cover. Rough in-row spacing starts around 0.3 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Bladder senna, Butterfly bush, Carob tree. As a Placenta species it establishes fast, then gets cut back or phased out as longer-lived layers take over.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Ground cover
- Lifecycle
- Placenta
- Soil preference
- Rocky, Sandy
- Soil pH range
- 6 – 8
- Min. temperature
- -10°C
- Min. rainfall
- 400 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Mediterranean
- Native to Portugal
- Yes
How to manage it
Fast fire-adapted pioneer that conditions poor soil and feeds pollinators; cut back lightly after flowering to prevent legginess.
How to propagate
Sow seed fresh in spring or take softwood cuttings in early summer; both root readily.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Short-lived and highly flammable when dry; resents rich or wet soils, waterlogging and root disturbance when transplanting.
Frequently asked questions about Grey-leaved cistus
Is grey-leaved cistus frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -10°C when dormant, with medium frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does grey-leaved cistus need?
It does best on rocky, sandy ground, at pH about 6–8.
How much water does grey-leaved cistus need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 400 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can grey-leaved cistus handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — grey-leaved cistus has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with grey-leaved cistus?
Short-lived and highly flammable when dry; resents rich or wet soils, waterlogging and root disturbance when transplanting.
Grey-leaved cistus in soil templates
Design your line to see how your land fits Grey-leaved cistus.
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