Gum rockrose

Cistus ladanifer

Layer 3 · Shrubs
Attracts pollinators

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Cistus ladanifer is an evergreen shrub native to the Iberian Peninsula and the western Mediterranean, notable for its extreme resilience in poor, dried-out soils. It is characterised by its pioneer role in the recovery of degraded ecosystems and by large white flowers that bloom in spring. In a food forest, it acts as an excellent initial support species, attracting many pollinating insects and stabilising the ground.

It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.

See which trees gum rockrose grows well with

Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Low
Light: Full sun
Size: Shrub up to 2.5 m
Mature diameter: 1.5 m
Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy
Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

January
February — Planting
March — Planting
April
May
June — Harvest
July — Harvest
August — Harvest
September — Harvest — Planting
October — Planting
November — Planting
December

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: Its resin has a healing and anti-inflammatory action in skin treatments.

Where to buy

Grows well with

Central trees this plant has already been paired with.

Pomegranate

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.