Intermediate
skill rating
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Vitex trifolia (Simpleleaf chaste tree)
2 hours care
per year
per year
5m
Max height
Max height
4.5m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Vitex trifolia
Other names
Simpleleaf chaste tree, Simpleleaf chastetree, Arabian lilac, Coastal vitex, Hand-of-Mary, Indian lilac, Indian wild pepper, Three-leaved chaste tree, Indian three-leaf vitex
Genus
Vitex Vitex
Species
V. trifolia - V. trifolia is an upright, open to rounded, tender, evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub or small tree with broadly elliptic, mid- to dark green leaves, some divided into three elliptic leaflets, white-felted beneath. Panicles of fragrant, two-lipped, violet to purple flowers in summer are followed by black fruit.
Vitex trifolia is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers and foliage are fragrant.
Habit
Open branches, Rounded, Upright
Toxicity
Known to trigger various allergic reactions including respiratory problems, dizziness, headache, and nausea.
Flower
Violet, Purple in Summer
Foliage
Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally Disease Free
General care
Pruning
Prune after flowering.
Propagation
Sow seed at 24-26C in autumn or spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings
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Where to grow
Vitex trifolia (Simpleleaf chaste tree) will reach a height of 5m and a spread of 4.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Conservatory, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Greenhouse, Sub-Tropical, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Performs best in light, well-drained soil in a warm, sunny position sheltered from cold, drying winds. Tolerates drought once established. Tolerates salt spray and saline soil. Will not tolerate water-logged soil. Considered an invasive species in some introduced areas.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Vitex trifolia
Other names
Simpleleaf chaste tree, Simpleleaf chastetree, Arabian lilac, Coastal vitex, Hand-of-Mary, Indian lilac, Indian wild pepper, Three-leaved chaste tree, Indian three-leaf vitex
Genus
Vitex Vitex
Species
V. trifolia - V. trifolia is an upright, open to rounded, tender, evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub or small tree with broadly elliptic, mid- to dark green leaves, some divided into three elliptic leaflets, white-felted beneath. Panicles of fragrant, two-lipped, violet to purple flowers in summer are followed by black fruit.
Native to
Australia, Eastern Africa, Japan, Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, Southern Asia
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers and foliage are fragrant.
Habit
Open branches, Rounded, Upright
Toxicity
Known to trigger various allergic reactions including respiratory problems, dizziness, headache, and nausea.
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Colour
Flower
Violet, Purple in Summer
Foliage
Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally Disease Free
General care
Pruning
Prune after flowering.
Propagation
Sow seed at 24-26C in autumn or spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Vitex trifolia (Simpleleaf chaste tree) will reach a height of 5m and a spread of 4.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Conservatory, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Greenhouse, Sub-Tropical, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Performs best in light, well-drained soil in a warm, sunny position sheltered from cold, drying winds. Tolerates drought once established. Tolerates salt spray and saline soil. Will not tolerate water-logged soil. Considered an invasive species in some introduced areas.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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