Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Clinopodium chandleri is a rare native perennial herb in the Lamiaceae (Mint) family that grows in Southern California and northern Baja, primarily in the Peninsular Range region. It tends to grow in rocky slopes, at elevations of 1,700-2,300 feet. It was formerly classified in the genus Satureja, and some sources still refer to it by that name. It is a low-growing, fragrant, spreading herb that prefers regular water and some shade. It is well suited for containers. Although it is native to mountain areas, it can be grown near the coast.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

2 ft Tall
3 ft Wide

Form

Spreading

Growth rate

Moderate, Slow

Dormancy

Evergreen

Fragrance

Pleasant

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Color

White

Flowering season

Summer, Spring

Special uses

Containers, Deer resistant

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Low

Summer irrigation

Max 2x / month once established

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 20° F

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Prefers well-draining soil. Tolerates gabbro soil..
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0

Sunset Zones

14, 16, 17*, 20, 21, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Rocky slopes as part of chaparral or woodland

Plant communities

Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Foothill Woodland, Valley Grassland

Use with chaparral plants of its native range including Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Heart-leaf Penstemon (Keckiella cordifolia), Southern Honeysuckle (Lonicera subspicata), Laurel Sumac (Malosma laurina), Oak (Quercus agrifolia or engelmannii), Sugar Bush (Rhus ovata), and native ferns such as Woodwardia or Dryopteris

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 1 likely

Confirmed Likely