Mastic
Pistacia lentiscus
Also known as Mastic Tree, Chios Mastictree, Lentisk
Climate Match for your location
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Mastic is a tough, evergreen Mediterranean shrub prized for its aromatic resin and attractive feathery foliage. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and requires minimal water once established.
Why grow it
Mastic occupies a useful niche among Mediterranean shrubs for its dual utility: the resin has culinary and traditional applications, while the plant itself serves as a hardy, low-maintenance screening or hedging species in arid climates. Compared to other drought-tolerant Mediterranean species, it requires less pruning to maintain shape and recovers well from cutting, making it practical for both formal and informal landscape roles. It tolerates poor, rocky soil where many ornamental shrubs struggle.
Watch out for
In cooler temperate zones, mastic's hardiness drops significantly below freezing (roughly USDA zone 9), and young plants in particular benefit from shelter in marginal climates. Plants can take several years to establish deep roots before drought tolerance fully develops, so consistent watering during the first growing season improves survival rates. Resin harvest or heavy pruning during the dormant season is more reliable than summer cutting.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Mastic is a tough, evergreen Mediterranean shrub prized for its aromatic resin and attractive feathery foliage. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and requires minimal water once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Mastic grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Mastic occupies a useful niche among Mediterranean shrubs for its dual utility: the resin has culinary and traditional applications, while the plant itself serves as a hardy, low-maintenance screening or hedging species in arid climates. Compared to other drought-tolerant Mediterranean species, it requires less pruning to maintain shape and recovers well from cutting, making it practical for both formal and informal landscape roles. It tolerates poor, rocky soil where many ornamental shrubs struggle.
Watch out for
In cooler temperate zones, mastic's hardiness drops significantly below freezing (roughly USDA zone 9), and young plants in particular benefit from shelter in marginal climates. Plants can take several years to establish deep roots before drought tolerance fully develops, so consistent watering during the first growing season improves survival rates. Resin harvest or heavy pruning during the dormant season is more reliable than summer cutting.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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