Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Thunder Cloud
Thunder Cloud is a low, compact Texas sage with silver stems, tiny silver leaves and deep violet flowers. It stays about 3 feet tall and spreads 3 to 5 feet, so it fits along walks, in front of taller shrubs and on dry slopes. It blooms again and again through summer and fall. Once rooted it gets by on little water in full sun and reflected heat.
Best for: low borders along walks, the front row of a shrub bed, dry sunny slopes, and hot spots with reflected heat that bees and butterflies visit.
It holds a tight, low mound about 3 feet tall. That keeps it out of the way along walks and driveways without trimming.
Set it in front of taller Texas sages or green shrubs. The silver stems and tiny silver leaves stand out, and the deep violet flowers repeat through summer and fall.
A sunny slope gives it the fast drainage it needs. Plant a row about 4 to 6 feet apart and let them grow together into a low silver band.
It rots easily if overwatered or planted where water collects. Heavy, slow-draining soil and drip lines that run too often are the usual ways to lose one.
- Low mass or slope planting4 ft apart, center to center
- Border along a walk4-6 ft apart, center to center
Water every few days at first, then stretch the time between soaks over the first two months. Water deeply and let the top of the soil dry before the next soak.
Once rooted, give it a deep soak about every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and about once a month or less in winter. Beyond rain it needs little, except in long dry spells. This kind is especially easy to overwater.
Its natural rounded shape needs little or no pruning. If you prune, cut select branches with hand pruners in late winter or early spring. Shearing cuts off flower buds and thins the plant.
An overgrown plant can take a hard renewal cut in early spring. Then leave it alone and let it grow back into its natural shape.
Too much water and poorly drained soil cause root rot, the most common way to lose one. Plant it where water drains away and water little in winter.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does Thunder Cloud get?
About 3 feet tall, sometimes up to 4, and 3 to 5 feet wide. It grows slowly into a dense, compact mound.
How far apart should I plant Thunder Cloud?
Plant them about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center. Use the low end for a mass planting that grows together, and see the Spacing tab for both options.
Is Thunder Cloud the same as Silver Cloud?
They are the same species, with silver leaves and purple flowers. Thunder Cloud stays about 3 feet tall, while Silver Cloud reaches 3 to 5 feet.
How often should I water Thunder Cloud?
Water deeply while it roots in, then let the soil dry between soaks. Once rooted, a deep soak about every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and about monthly in winter is plenty.
Why is my Thunder Cloud dying?
Too much water is the usual cause. This species rots easily in wet soil. Check that drip lines do not run too often and that water does not pool around the base.
What soil does it need?
It needs soil that drains fast. Sandy, loamy and alkaline soils are fine. Avoid low spots where water collects, and pick a slope or raised spot if your soil is heavy.
Does Thunder Cloud need pruning?
No. It keeps a dense, compact shape on its own. Shearing thins the inside of the plant and cuts off the flowers, so skip the hedge trimmers.
Can it take reflected heat?
Yes. It takes full sun and reflected heat. In shade it gets leggy and flowers less.
How cold can Thunder Cloud take?
Thunder Cloud handles cold down to about 10°F. In winter, water little and keep the soil on the dry side.
Does it attract bees and butterflies?
Yes. Bees, butterflies and other pollinators visit the flowers.
Will rabbits or deer eat it?
They usually leave it alone. Its aromatic silver leaves are not a favorite.
Can Thunder Cloud bother allergies?
Yes, it can. Its pollen can bother people with allergies.
Thunder Cloud for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Thunder Cloud (Leucophyllum candidum 'Thunder Cloud') is a slow, compact Texas sage with silver leaves and deep violet flowers. It stays about 3 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. This page covers size, spacing, water, drainage, sun, cold and pruning.
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Thunder Cloud Texas sage in Arizona
Thunder Cloud is a compact Texas sage with silver stems, tiny silver leaves and deep violet flowers. It stays about 3 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. It blooms again and again through summer and fall.
How big does Thunder Cloud sage get?
It grows slowly to about 3 feet tall, sometimes 4, and 3 to 5 feet wide. It holds a dense, compact mound without trimming.
How far apart to plant Thunder Cloud
Plant Thunder Cloud about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center. Use 4 feet for a mass or slope planting that grows together into one low silver band.
Thunder Cloud vs Silver Cloud
Both are the same species with silver leaves and purple flowers. Thunder Cloud stays about 3 feet tall, while Silver Cloud reaches 3 to 5 feet. Both need fast-draining soil and little water.
Watering Thunder Cloud in Phoenix
Water deeply while it roots in and let the soil dry between soaks. Once rooted, a deep soak about every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and about monthly in winter is enough. Too much water rots it.
Best soil and spot for Thunder Cloud
Pick a sunny spot where water drains fast, like a slope or raised bed. Sandy, loamy and alkaline soils are fine. Keep it out of low spots where water pools.
Should you prune Thunder Cloud?
It needs little or no pruning. Shearing into balls cuts off the flower buds and thins the inside of the plant. Let it keep its natural mound.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.