Vitex agnus-castus

Plant of the Month October 2026

Vitex agnus-castus

GENERAL INFORMATION: This small tree/shrub, was believed to be an anaphrodisiac.

Common Name: Chaste Tree, Chaste Berry, Monk’s Pepper, Abraham's balm,lilac chaste tree.

Life Cycle: Deciduous shrub, belonging to the Mint family, (Lamiacea).

Height: to 2m when killed back in winter, otherwise to 3m+.

Bloom Time: July - August in Southern Ontario.

Flower Colour & Size: Many tiny, (8mm) violet-blue flowers in loose panicles up to 30cm long.

Vitex agnus-castus - inflorescence.

Scent: pleasant, peppery light fragrance.

Leaves: Spicy scented, compound palmate, grayish-green leaves with 5-7 lance-shaped leaflets to 15cm long. The undersides are silvery green.

Vitex agnus-castus - compond leaves.

Fruit: Small purple 4mm drupes with 4 seeds in fall.

Vitex agnus-castus - developing seeds.

Range: Mediterranean, Asia.

Habitat: Banks of rivers, coastal areas.

CULTIVATION:

Light: Full sun, more than 6 hrs daily.

Soil: Most moist soils.

Water: Average. Drought tolerant but good drainage needed.

USDA Hardiness: Zones 6-9. Usually killed down to the ground in our Toronto garden.

Pests and Diseases: No serious problems, apart from winter hardiness..

Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds.

Propagation: Stem cuttings in July - August. Use ripe wood in November.

From Seed: Sow @ 20°C. Soak. Surface sow and expose to light.

References:

Text and images supplied by Anna Leggatt, Toronto Master Gardener.