Vitex: planting, pruning & effects of chaste tree
Vitex belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is known for its healing properties. It can also provide a real eye-catcher in your garden.
Of course, to bring the medicinal plant Vitex agnus-castus, known also by several other names, to its full glory in your own garden, it is necessary to observe certain requirements. We will clarify these in the course of this article and also discuss the special effects of the plant.
Contents
Vitex: origin and characteristics
Colloquially, vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) is also called chaste tree, in addition, there are other synonyms, such as monk’s pepper and Abraham’s balm. The plant originated in the Mediterranean region – it is now widespread in Southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, as well as in Western Asia. Vitex is woody and perennial, so it is a shrub and can reach a height of about three meters. Its leaves are hairy only on the underside and consist of five to seven digit, palmately arranged finger leaflets. These, in turn, stand opposite each other on the grey-felted, square branches of the shrub. The most striking feature is probably the purple-blue vitex flowers. They are positioned terminally in cone-shaped flower panicles on the branches and give off a light fragrance. The flowering period extends from July to August. This is followed by the formation of the brown to black, spherical fruits, which usually contain four seeds. Botanically, these belong to the drupe family.
Is vitex bee friendly? The plant with its fragrant flowers attracts many insects, including bees. For them, the monk’s pepper is an important source of food, because, unlike many other plants, it still bears its flowers later in the year.
The most beautiful varieties
The different chaste tree varieties usually differ in flower colour or growth height. We present the main varieties:
- Vitex agnus-castus ‘Alba’: This variety is a white-flowered variety. This particular feature is manifested at flowering time from August to September. Their growth width as well as height range from 1 to 3 meters.
- Vitex agnus-castus ‘Latifolia’: With its blue-purple flowers adorning the shrub from July to October, this variety is a real eye-catcher. It can reach heights of up to 3 metres.
- Vitex agnus-castus ‘Blue Diddley’: This small shrub fits into any garden with its compact 1 meter height and width. It is decorated with blue fragrant flowers from August to October.
- Vitex agnus-castus ‘Pink Pinnacle’: With this variety, the colour spectrum is again expanded. It has pink flowers from August to September and grows about 2 meters tall and 1.5 meters wide.
Planting vitex: location, sowing and instructions
If you want to plant a vitex shrub in your own garden, there are a few things to consider:
Location
The ideal location for the bush is best protected from the wind, warm and full sun. However, outdoor planting is really only suitable for mild locations – if this is not available, you should choose a container. Even in a winter-warming vineyard climate, chaste trees often freeze back and must resprout in the spring.
The soil should be permeable and rich in nutrients for the plant. It should be able to retain moisture, but should not be prone to waterlogging. If the soil for outdoor planting is rich in humus or clay, it can be loosened with 30 to 50% sand, expanded clay or gravel. Very permeable soil can be improved with clay powder or compost. The high nutrient requirements of vitex can be satisfied very well by using compost. If you do not have your own compost at hand, you can use a high-quality substrate based on compost. In many cases, as with our Plantura Organic Enriched Compost, such a substrate is peat-free. Additionally, all of our Plantura soils are certified organic and made from recycled raw materials.
- Perfect for all crops and ornamental plants with a high nutrient requirement & for raised beds
- Improves soil quality & promotes healthy root growth
- Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
The shrub thrives best in a soil with a pH in the neutral range of 6.2 to 7.5. If the pH of your soil is in the acidic range, you can use a little lime to raise the pH.
A container for monk’s pepper should have a volume of 10 litres or more. For container culture it is advisable that the filling consists of compost and 30% sand.
Sowing vitex seeds
- Time: late spring (from mid-March)
- High temperatures for germination: about 22 – 24 °C
- From mid-May, propagated plants can be planted out
- Planting distance about 80 – 100 cm
- Direct sowing outdoors from mid-May onwards
Chaste trees in pots
Monk’s pepper is suitable for growing in containers. Especially in this region, this method is also preferable due to the temperatures. But it must be remembered that it requires more attention than in the open ground, and in addition, in winter it should be kept frost-free, but cool to avoid frost damage.
Plant care: pruning etc.
Outdoors, average watering is sufficient for the vitex plant. On very warm, sunny days can be watered more, but it can tolerate dry periods for a few days. However, longer the soil should not remain dry, considering that the plant, of course, prefers to live on river floodplains.
If the bush is in a nutrient-rich soil, then additional fertiliser applications are rarely necessary. In the spring, if necessary, the soil can be enriched with small additions of fertiliser or compost. When caring for potted plants, be sure to water regularly and provide adequate nutrients. Our Plantura Flower Food is particularly suitable for the supply of potted plants and also increases the resistance to pests, drought and frost by a rich potassium supply.
- Perfect for flowering plants in the garden & on the balcony
- For healthier plants with beautiful & long-lasting blossoms
- Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products - child & pet friendly
To encourage flowering, the shrub can be pruned back hard in spring and frostbitten shoots removed.
Is vitex hardy?
The perennial shrub has limited hardiness, so it can survive short periods of frost, but it should be well protected in winter or brought into winter quarters if planted in a container.
Outdoors, you can give the plant extra protection by mulching the root disc or wrapping it with raffia mats. Fir branches, inserted between the shoots near the ground, are also suitable for this purpose.
Potted plants should be overwintered in a cool and just about frost-free place. Unsuitable for overwintering indoors, because the warm temperatures can upset the growth rhythm of the plant and disrupt budding.
Chaste tree propagation
If you want to propagate your vitex tree, there are two ways. From October, the seeds of the bush can be collected and then well dried. Sowing then proceeds as already explained above. The other method involves cutting green or semi-ripe cuttings from the plant in summer, defoliating them at the bottom and rooting them either in a jar of water or directly in moist soil at warm temperatures.
Harvest, use and effect
The ripe fruits of Vitex agnus-castus after harvested after flowering. Extracts of the fruit are used in the production of finished preparations. In naturopathy, vitex is used mainly for menopausal symptoms, endometritis, menstrual problems, as well as some other diseases. The fact that the fruits of the plant can balance female hormone levels is well proven scientifically. The reason for this is the inhibition of prolactin secretion. Overall, unlike many other medicinal plants, the effects of chaste tree are fairly well studied.
The self-harvested seeds can be prepared, for example, as a tea or used as a pepper-like spice in the kitchen. However, you should inform yourself in advance about the dosage or possible side effects or interactions. The safest way is to purchase vitex to take with proper advice at the pharmacy.
Is vitex poisonous?
Vitex agnus-castus is slightly poisonous – like many other medicinal plants. But the dosage plays the essential role here, because small or recommended amounts are harmless when used. Vitex can even be used on dogs, but it should not be used on cats or on children under the age of 18 or on pregnant and breastfeeding women, unless this has been discussed with a doctor.
Another important medicinal plant for women is evening primrose (Oenothera), which is also a good food source for butterflies. We present the most beautiful evening primrose species and give tips on cultivation and use.
