Does a large plant need just as much care? If so, then monk's pepper would have to demand a lot from us. But he doesn't! Instead, it thrives without much effort and lavishly produces its flowers for years. We can only give help here and there.
How to care for chasteberry in the garden?
Chasteberry plant care includes a well-drained, alkaline and sunny location, occasional watering, sparing fertilization with compost, annual pruning and, for potted plants, additional care such as regular watering, fertilization and frost protection.
Let nature do its thing
The monk's pepper is not a newly bred plant by humans, but has been growing wild on river banks in southern Europe and western Asia for centuries. The plant is content with what nature offers it. This will also work smoothly in the garden if you grow the shrub in the right place:
- permeable, sandy or stony soil
- in the alkaline range
- lots of sun and warmth
- plant protected, e.g. B. near a wall
Tip
In winter, the shrub suffers from moisture. If it does not have a protected place on a house wall, you should protect it in autumn with a thick layer of leaves.
Fertilize and water as needed
The plant, also known as the chaste tree, has shallow roots, so there can be supply bottlenecks in its location in the garden in dry summers. Then water the shrub with water without “drowning” it.
A very nutrient-rich soil does not produce more flowers. Instead, the monk's pepper sprouts lushly. However, the tissue remains largely soft, immature and is therefore insufficiently hardy.
You shouldn't keep your hands off fertilizer now, but rather use it sparingly. A portion of compost in March and one in June is enough for even the largest Vitex agnus-castus, as the plant is scientifically called, for vital growth.
Increase flowering by cutting
Chasteberry only blooms at the ends of new shoots. Every plant lover should know that vigorous pruning promotes new growth. So you too can use the scissors every spring until only 20 cm long stubs remain of the bush's branches. Completely cut off any branches that have frozen over the winter.
Then be patient. All chasteberry varieties sprout reliably, but relatively late. By the way, regular cutting not only ensures more flowers, but also a compact growth habit and more stability.
Provide potted plants more intensively
Chasteberry remains smaller, even in the largest pot, than in the garden bed. However, because it has no access to the ground and only has to feed on a limited amount of soil, it still needs more care from its owner.
- water regularly so that the root ball never dries out
- fertilize from spring to late summer
- every 14 days with a liquid fertilizer
- Winter frost-free, light and dark possible
- cut in spring, if necessary also in autumn
