Arabian Lilac
Vitex trifolia "Variegata"
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
A brightly variegated cousin of the chaste tree, grown for foliage as much as flower. Vitex trifolia, sometimes called the three-leaf chaste tree or Arabian lilac, is a warm-climate shrub of the mint family, native along tropical and subtropical coasts from eastern Africa through southern Asia to Australia and the Pacific. The species name trifolia points to the leaves, usually held in threes, and the selection 'Variegata' edges each gray-green leaflet in creamy white for a cool, luminous effect.
Through the warm months and into early autumn, slender spikes of soft blue to purple flowers rise above the variegated canopy, lilac-like and fragrant, drawing bees and butterflies. The bloom reads well against the pale-edged foliage, and the two together carry the plant across a long season.
Vitex trifolia 'Variegata' wants full sun and well-drained soil, and thrives on heat and humidity across zones 8 to 10. More cold-sensitive than the hardy chaste tree, Vitex agnus-castus, the shrub dies back or defoliates in a hard winter and returns from the base in the milder zones, so treat the plant as a dieback shrub at the cold edge of the range.
Like beach vitex, the dried fruit of Vitex trifolia is a source of the East Asian herb man jing zi, used traditionally for headaches; see the medicinal notes below. In the garden, set the variegated Arabian lilac where the bright foliage can light a warm border, a mixed planting, or a large container, and prune to shape or hold a size. A striking, easy foliage shrub for the subtropical garden.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 8–10
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 6–12 Feet · Spread 5–8 Feet
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Seasonality
- Deciduous
Blue to purple spikes, summer to fall
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is shared for traditional and educational interest only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before any medicinal use.
- Use only under the guidance of a qualified practitioner
- Not a substitute for medical care
- Avoid during pregnancy without professional advice
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
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Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
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