Common Mistakes To Avoid When Growing Wall Germander

Wall germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) is a beautiful and hardy plant that attracts pollinators. Because it's drought tolerant and pest resistant, it's a favorite for creating hedges, growing as a ground cover, or even adding texture to ornamental gardens. However, growing wall germander successfully takes a bit of care. Mistakes with soil conditions, water levels, lighting, pruning, and fertilization can affect how healthy and strong the plant is.

Wall germander thrives in well-draining soil. The plant can tolerate soil with few nutrients, but excessive moisture retention can lead to problems like root rot. Opt for a gritty, sandy soil mixture that allows water to drain quickly. If needed, toss in some drainage materials to relieve the plants of excess moisture. Adding a soil amendment like Doter organic perlite is a good idea if your growing medium tends to hold water. 

When it comes to sunlight, wall germander prefers full sun. If you plant it in the shade, it'll end up leggy and weak as it tries to reach for the light. Along with plenty of sunlight, balanced watering is important. To keep your wall germander healthy, make sure the soil doesn't dry out, but likewise, avoid watering the germander too much.  

Wall germander thrives when it's trimmed regularly, since this practice keeps its shape neat and encourages fresh growth. But there are some mistakes to avoid while pruning the plant. For instance, over-pruning can hurt it, and under-pruning can leave it looking wild and unruly. Ideally, you should give your wall germander a good trim in early spring before new growth takes off, and then another light cut in late summer, if needed. Avoid hacking into the old, woody stems; they don't bounce back well and will leave you with a patchy-looking plant. If you're in a colder climate, take it easy with the shears in late fall to avoid frost damage.

When it comes to fertilizing wall germander, one common mistake is overdoing it. Germander thrives with minimal fertilization, so using too much can actually harm your plant. Over-fertilizing may lead to problems like root burn or increased vulnerability to pests, undoing all your hard work. Instead, stick to a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and apply it sparingly. Once in early spring is typically more than enough. Wall germander is a tough plant that doesn't need excessive pampering to thrive.