Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a deciduous shrub that bears clusters of purple flowers in the summer. Left unpruned, it can become a sprawling, vase-shaped shrub that grows to 20 feet tall with an equally wide spread. It is sometimes trained as a single-trunk small tree.The leaves of the chaste tree are very reminiscent of the marijuana plant (Cannabis sativa), with five leaflets in a palm-shaped arrangement. The leaves have a fragrance similar to that of the herb sage. The purple flower clusters (called panicles) look like those of the butterfly bush (Buddleja spp.) Varieties with white flowers are also available. The black fruit contains four seeds that look like peppercorns and are sometimes used to flavor food.
Water deeply at planting time, making sure the soil around the root ball and the root ball itself is moist all the way down to its base. Then, each day thereafter, check the soil moisture and only provide water if the soil has dried out somewhat or is just slightly damp. Allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again.
When it comes to fertilizers, you want to avoid over-fertilizing (just like an overdose of vitamins isn't great for us, either). Less is more, so it’s important to follow what the package says for application amounts.
Trim out dead and damaged leaves any time, pinching off or cutting off each of those leaves at its base. Avoid cutting into a plant's main stems or its crown, which is where its leaves and roots meet.
Vitex agnus-castus may be grown in Zones 6 to 9; it is technically hardy down to about minus-9 degrees Fahrenheit. But in zones 6, it often is grown more as a perennial plant rather than a shrub, since it may die back to the ground each winter, regrowing in spring.
Whether it be plastic or clay, make sure the pot you select has drainage holes in the bottom to prevent over-watering.
