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Wax Myrtle

Also known as

Araigan, Arbol de cera, Arraigan, Arrayan, Bay-berry, Cerero, Mickle-berry, Palo de cera, Perico, Tiguapan, Tiguapen (Dominican Republic), Wax berry, Wax wood, Wax-berry and Wax-berry (Puerto Rico)

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Morella cerifera

Genus

Morella

Family

Myricaceae

Order

Fagales

How to care for Wax Myrtle

💦 Water

How often to water your Wax Myrtle

Wax Myrtle needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Wax Myrtle in your home

Wax Myrtle love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Wax Myrtle does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Wax Myrtle in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Wax Myrtle

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Wax Myrtle: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Wax Myrtle after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Wax Myrtle is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Wax Myrtle →

Benefits of Growing Wax Myrtle →

Common Wax Myrtle Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Wax Myrtle →

Outdoor Care Guide for Wax Myrtle →

💦 Water Needs

Wax Myrtle prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Wax Myrtle Water Frequency →

Wax Myrtle Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Wax Myrtle requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Wax Myrtle Light Requirements →

Wax Myrtle Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Wax Myrtle is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Wax Myrtle will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

Wax Myrtle Lifecycle →

Wax Myrtle Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Wax Myrtle →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Wax Myrtle can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Wax Myrtle Temperature Tolerance →

Wax Myrtle Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Wax Myrtle →

When to Plant Wax Myrtle →

How to Plant Wax Myrtle →

Where to Plant Wax Myrtle →

Winter Care for Wax Myrtle →

Best Companion Plants for Wax Myrtle →

Is Wax Myrtle a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Wax Myrtle, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.