Vitex agnus-castus, chaste tree
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Vitex agnus-castus

chaste tree

Lamiaceae

Southern Europe (Mediterranean) and western Asia

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height10-20 feet (3-6 m)
Width10-15 feet (3-4.6 m)
Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant (moderate)
Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Vitex agnus-castus is a deciduous large shrub or small tree reaching 10-20 feet (3-6 m) tall with a spread of 10-15 feet (3-4.6 m), developing a broad, rounded, multi-stemmed form. Often grows as a large shrub in the Pacific Northwest; can be trained to a small tree form. Leaves are opposite, palmately compound, with 5-7 (rarely 9) narrow, lanceolate leaflets 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, arranged like a hand — superficially resembling cannabis (Cannabis sativa) foliage. Leaves are aromatic when crushed, with a sage-like scent. Foliage is gray-green above, gray-tomentose beneath, giving the canopy a silvery cast. Flowers are small, tubular, borne in dense, terminal, spike-like panicles 5-12 inches (13-30 cm) long in July to September — one of the latest-blooming deciduous woody plants. Flower color is lavender-blue (most common), also available in white ('Alba') and pink ('Rosea'). Flowers attract bees and butterflies heavily. Fruit is a small, round, gray-brown drupe. Growth rate is fast at 12-24 inches (30-61 cm) per year. In the Pacific Northwest, may die back to the ground in cold winters west of the Cascades; regrows and blooms on new wood. Performs best in the warmest microclimates or east of the Cascades. In the Lamiaceae (mint family), formerly placed in Verbenaceae.

Native Range

Native to southern Europe (Mediterranean region) and western Asia, occurring on streambanks, coastal areas, and moist places. The common name 'chaste tree' derives from the historical use of the fruit by monks to suppress libido.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen or in mixed borders where the late-summer lavender-blue flower spikes and aromatic gray-green foliage provide Mediterranean character, spaced 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) apart. Valuable for late-season bloom when few other woody plants are flowering. Effective in hot, dry, sun-baked locations where many other shrubs struggle. Combines well with other Mediterranean-climate plants (Lavandula, Rosmarinus, Cistus). In the Pacific Northwest, best in USDA zones 7-8 or warmer microclimates.

How to Identify

Identified by opposite, palmately compound leaves with 5-7 narrow leaflets (resembling cannabis), aromatic gray-green foliage, and long terminal spikes of lavender-blue flowers in late summer. Distinguished from Cannabis by opposite (not alternate) leaves and woody (not herbaceous) habit. Distinguished from Aesculus (buckeye) by narrower leaflets and late summer (not spring) bloom. The aromatic foliage and late-summer flower spikes are diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 20'
Width/Spread10' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks
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Summer
Lavender-blue flowers in dense terminal spike-like panicles 5-12 inches (13-30 cm) long in July to September, lasting 6-8 weeks. One of the latest-blooming deciduous woody plants. Blooms on new (current season) wood, so winter dieback does not prevent flowering. Flowers attract bees and butterflies heavily — an important late-season nectar source.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Lavender-blue

Foliage Description

Gray-green above, gray-tomentose beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water during the first growing season. Established plants are very drought-tolerant. Plant in full sun — requires maximum heat and sun for best flowering. Requires well-drained soil; will not tolerate wet winter conditions. In the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades, may die back to the ground in cold winters; it regrows quickly and blooms on new wood. Site in the warmest, most sheltered microclimate available — south-facing walls, heat islands. Performs more reliably east of the Cascades in warmer, drier conditions.

Pruning

Prune hard in late winter (February through March). If top growth has survived winter, cut back by one-half to two-thirds to promote vigorous new growth and heavy flowering (blooms on new wood). If winter-killed to the ground, cut to 6 inches (15 cm) and allow regrowth. Can be trained as a multi-stemmed small tree by selecting 3-5 main trunks and removing lower branches. In either case, flowers will form on the current season's growth.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 15 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic