HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR CHASTE TREE (VITEX)
Add long-lasting carefree color to your yard with this versatile landscape plant
Rock Steady® chaste tree. Photo: Proven Winners
Chaste tree, also known as vitex, is a deciduous shrub or small tree with attractive palmate foliage, long flower spikes, and small fruits for multi-season interest. The common name originates back to ancient Greece, as the pungent leaves were thought to encourage chastity.
Native to southern Europe and western Asia, this heat-loving plant belongs to the mint or sage family (Lamiaceae), with some 250 species. With a similar appearance, vitex tree is sometimes mistaken for butterfly bush (Buddleia). Tolerant of different growing conditions, this carefree plant is especially popular in the southern U.S. For centuries, vitex has been used for medicinal purposes.
Chaste tree is a woody perennial in warmer climates, and can be trained into a single-stemmed tree or multi-stemmed shrub. In Zones 5-6, plants die back to the ground in winter. Vitex plant recovers from the roots the following spring, producing 4 to 7 feet of new growth in a single growing season. Here’s how to grow and use chaste tree in your yard.
On this page: Basics | Planting | Care | Varieties | Frequently Asked Questions | Landscaping Ideas
On this page:
VITEX BASICS
Botanical name:
Vitex spp.
Common names:
Chaste tree, vitex, chasteberry, lilac chaste tree, hemp tree, monk’s pepper tree, pepper bush, sage tree, Texas lilac
Plant type:
Deciduous or evergreen shrub or small tree
Zones:
The most commonly grown species, Vitex agnus-castus, is hardy in USDA zones 5-9. Other species may be less hardy, and heat tolerant up to zone 11.
Exposure:
Full sun
Habit:
Upright bushy structure with an open, rounded habit
Height/Spread:
3 to 20 feet tall and wide
Bloom time:
Late spring to fall, depending on the variety
Flowers:
Multi-branching flower spikes up to 12 inches long come in shades of purple, lavender, blue, pink, or white. The flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other insect pollinators including bees, which use the rich nectar to make honey.
Fruit:
Small, rounded dark-purple fruits, known as drupes, appear in summer and fall.
Foliage:
Palmate leaves are oppositely arranged, with 5 to 7 leaflets. Each leaflet is lance-shaped and 4 to 8 inches long. Foliage coloring is green or grayish-green with a paler gray-green underside. The foliage exudes a peppery sage-like scent when bruised, hence the common names of sage tree and pepper bush. Vitex is also known as hemp tree for the similar leaf appearance to hemp or marijuana plant.
HOW TO PLANT VITEX
When to plant:
The best time to plant chaste tree is in spring to allow an entire growing season for roots to become established. Wait until all danger of frost is past in your area.
Where to plant:
Chaste tree needs full sun and warmer temperatures to thrive. Provide a site with well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. In Zones 5 and 6, choose a protected site against a wall or building.
How to plant:
Loosen soil in the planting area and amend with compost or other organic matter to improve soil and drainage. Dig a hole three times as wide and the same depth as the root ball. Remove the plant from its nursery pot and gently loosen roots if they are potbound. Place plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level or slightly higher than the surrounding soil. Fill in soil around the root ball and gently tamp down to remove air pockets. Water plants well. Space plants 4 to 20 feet apart, depending on the variety, to allow for full mature width.
VITEX CARE
Blue Diddley® vitex. Photo: Proven Winners
Temperature and humidity:
Vitex prefers the warmer temperatures of its native habitat. Plants are tolerant of the high humidity of the southeastern U.S., as well as the arid conditions of the desert Southwest.
Soil:
Chaste tree is tolerant of rocky and sandy soils as found in its native habitat. Plants will perform best with amended soil that is well draining with a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil pH of 6.0-7.5. For containers, use a high-quality, all-purpose potting mix. To conserve moisture and suppress weeds, apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark or bark chips around the base of plants in spring. In Zones 5 and 6, apply a winter mulch to protect the root zone from hard freezes.
Fertilizer:
Plants need little or no supplemental fertilizer. To speed up growth, fertilize in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer especially formulated for trees and shrubs. Use according to package instructions. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
Watering:
Chaste tree prefers moderately moist soil, and is drought tolerant once established. Water plants during prolonged heat and dry spells. Don’t allow soil to dry out completely. Overwatering can lead to root rot or other diseases.
Pruning:
- Chaste tree flowers on the current season’s growth. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches and lightly shape plants as needed.
- To prune into a single-trunked tree or multi-stemmed shrub, remove all side branches and leave 1 to 5 stems, which will be the main trunks. Allow canopy to form at desired height. Each spring, continue removing side shoots on the main trunks up to the canopy.
- To rejuvenate older established specimens, cut plants back to the ground in late winter.
- In colder climates where plants die back in winter, remove dead growth back to the ground.
- To encourage rebloom, cut off spent flowers.
Pests and diseases:
When grown in the right conditions, chaste tree is resistant to most pests and diseases. Pests can include aphids, mealybugs, scale and whitefly. Diseases include leaf spot and root rot.
Is privet deer resistant?
Chaste tree is typically left alone by deer, though almost any plant is susceptible to grazing if deer are hungry enough.
Is privet toxic?
Chaste tree is not considered poisonous to pets and children, though ingesting any plants not normally eaten may cause stomach upset.
VITEX VARIETIES
Photo by: Proven Winners.
ROCK STEADY® — Buy now from Proven Winners
Ligustrum japonicum
Zones: 5-9
Habit: Upright open habit
Height/Spread: 4 to 12 feet tall, 4 to 5 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom time: Late spring to fall
Color: Light purple flowers, green foliage
This medium-sized variety blooms over an exceptionally long time, with nonstop flowers from late spring until fall. The palmate leaves and pale lavender flower spikes create a delicate appearance in the landscape. Use in a pollinator garden, mixed border, or as hedging.
Photo: Spring Meadow Nursery
'ABBEVILLE BLUE'
Vitex agnus-castus
Zones: 5-9
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 4 to 10 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom time: Summer
Color: Blue flowers, green foliage
Selected for the deep-blue flowers and consistent growth habit, ‘Abbeville Blue’ is a medium-sized variety with showy blue flowers 12 to 18 inches long. Use as hedging, in a shrub planting, or mixed border.
Photo: Thijs de Graaf / Shutterstock
'ALBA'
Vitex agnus-castus
Zones: 6-9
Habit: Bushy spreading habit
Height/Spread: 10 to 15 feet tall, 15 to 20 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom time: Summer
Color: White flowers, gray-green foliage
‘Alba’ produces long snow-white flowers in dense spikes, with a bushy spreading habit. Use this larger variety as privacy screening, in mass plantings, or as a stand-alone specimen.
Photo: Proven Winners
BLUE DIDDLEY®
Vitex agnus-castus
Zones: 5-9
Habit: Compact bushy habit
Height/Spread: 3 to 6 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom time: Summer
Color: Lavender-blue flowers, green foliage
The smaller stature of ‘Blue Diddley’ is about half the typical size of chaste tree. Plants produce 6 to 10-inch-long lavender-blue flowers throughout summer. The compact habit is suitable for small spaces and mixed borders.
Photo: N. Stertz / Shutterstock
'BLUE PUFFBALL'
Vitex agnus-castus
Zones: 6-9
Habit: Compact rounded habit
Height/Spread: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom time: Late spring to early fall
Color: Purple-blue flowers, gray-green foliage
Dense clusters of purple-blue flowers that resemble fluffy puffballs are produced on symmetrical ball-shaped plants. This dwarf variety is versatile in shrub borders, foundation plantings, containers, or as hedging.
Photo: N. Stertz / Shutterstock
Pink Pinnacle™
Vitex agnus-castus
Zones: 5-9
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 5 to 6 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom time: Late spring through summer
Color: Pink flowers, gray-green foliage
Pink Pinnacle™ produces pale pink flower spires 6 to 8 inches long with distinct branching. The compact stature is versatile in shrub borders, foundation plantings, and for hedging.
Photo: Tim Ludwig / Shutterstock
'Shoal Creek'
Vitex agnus-castus
Zones: 6-9
Habit: Shrubby open habit
Height/Spread: 4 to 15 feet tall, 4 to 12 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom time: Summer
Color: Violet-blue flowers, gray-green foliage
This violet-flowering variety has a more vigorous growth habit, with better resistance to leaf spot. Spiky blooms 12 inches or longer complement the showy palmate leaves. Plant in a row as hedging, or as a stand-alone specimen.
Photo: Scott Zona / Shutterstock
Arabian Lilac
Vitex trifolia
Zones: 9-11
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 10 to 15 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom time: Summer
Color: Lavender-blue flowers, green foliage
Also known as simple-leaf chaste tree, this tender semi-evergreen or evergreen species is native to coastal regions of east Africa, southern Asia, and Australia. Violet-blue flower clusters 6 inches long appear in early summer, with foliage occurring in groups of three leaflets. In warmer climates, use as hedging, screening, or as a background plant in a border.
NOTE: May be invasive in parts of the U.S. including Florida, Arizona, and Hawaii.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are vitex trees messy?
Fruits that drop from the plants can stain pavement and be messy to clean up. Plants may produce volunteer seedlings. Pick up fallen berries to neaten appearance and reduce self-sowing. Pull seedlings as they appear.
Is vitex tree invasive?
Plants can self-sow readily in warmer climates. Vitex is considered invasive in parts of the south and west, including Texas, California, Arizona, Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida. Check with your local nursery or extension service to see if Vitex is invasive in your area before buying and planting.
What is the lifespan of a vitex tree?
When given the proper care and growing conditions, Vitex can live at least 15 to 20 years, up to 50 years.
Is Vitex a tree or a shrub?
Vitex is considered a shrub or small tree. Plants can be allowed to retain their natural bushy growth habit, or pruned into a single or multi-stemmed tree.
VITEX LANDSCAPING TIPS
For borders and landscapes:
Chaste tree can be used as privacy screening, hedging, or as a stand-alone specimen in beds and borders.
For slopes and hillsides:
Mass smaller varieties of Vitex along a slope or hillside as a low-maintenance solution for erosion control.
For containers:
Dwarf varieties can be planted in containers.
There are many ways to use chaste tree in your landscape. Here’s how:
- Plant chaste tree in a row along a property line for privacy. See more on designing for privacy.
- Use in a waterwise landscape in combination with other plants with similar growing needs. Find more drought tolerant plants.
- Add chaste tree to a butterfly or pollinator garden to attract a wide range of beneficial insects and other wildlife. Find more pollinator plants.
- Plant chaste tree in an island bed as a showy specimen.
- Place a small tree-form specimen in a container and display as a focal point on a sunny patio or deck.
- Create a hedge of chaste tree to divide garden areas. See more on how to create garden rooms.
- Use as a background plant in an informal cottage-style garden, where the open growth habit and long flower spikes will complement other cottage-style plants.
- Create a foundation planting by combining a dwarf variety of vitex with other flowering shrubs that bloom at different times for season-long color.
- In southern climates, chaste tree can be used as a substitute for lilac, which has similar-looking flowers, but prefers colder temperatures.
- Use chaste tree as a substitute for butterfly bush, which has a similar appearance.
Companion plants: Choose companions that thrive in similar conditions of full sun, warm temperatures, and low-to-moderate water needs. These include agave, butterfly bush, crape myrtle, echinacea, lantana, lavender, ninebark, oak leaf hydrangea, ornamental grasses, rose of Sharon, rosemary, Russian sage, salvia, smoke bush, yarrow, and yucca.
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