It is an evergreen shrub native to southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, Macaronesia, and the Indian Subcontinent, and also cultivated.

[3] The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree, growing to 5 metres (16 ft) tall.

[4] The essential oils derived from this plant have anti-proliferative and anti-quorum sensing properties, helping against food spoilage.

tarentina[7] have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[9] Also, one can use a cutting with a short heel (small part of the bark), keeping it in moistened rooting mix.