Santolina chamaecyparissus aka Grey Santolina

Taxonomy

Santolina chamaecyparissus, also known as cotton lavender or lavender-cotton, is a beautiful evergreen shrub with silvery gray and green foliage. It belongs to the family Asteraceae and is native to the western and central Mediterranean. This plant blooms with button-like flowers in the summer and grows as tall as 2 feet, making it a great candidate for borders, beds, rock gardens, and as a xeriscaping plant. Lavender cotton adds a subtle but silvery gray-green color to a green space. It is also used in dried arrangements, potpourris, and as an accent plant. Santolina chamaecyparissus is often used for digestive problems and as antiseptics. Additionally, Santolina rosmarinifolia is used as groundcover in massing, edging beds, planters, rock gardens, and on pure sand.

Common names

Grey Santolina, Lavender Cotton, Cotton Lavender

How to care for Grey Santolina

Difficulty

Grey Santolina presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Grey Santolina should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Grey Santolina loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Grey Santolina thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Cotton Lavender.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Grey Santolina to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Grey Santolina is necessary either when it has doubled in size or once every year, whichever happens first. With fresh potting soil replenished annually, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients, rendering the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that the source of a plant's energy is the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Grey Santolina’s native range is Europe - Mediterranean. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[17].


More info:
Wikipedia