California Wax Myrtle

California Wax Myrtle Care

Morella Californica

What is the plant

It grows to 2–10 m tall, and has serrated, sticky green leaves 4–13 cm long and 0.7–3 cm broad, which emit a spicy scent on warm days. The flower's inflorescence is arranged in a spike 0.6–3 cm long, in range of colors from green to red. The fruit is a wrinkled purple berry 4–6.5 mm diameter, with a waxy coating, hence the common name wax myrtle. This species has root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, allowing it to grow in relatively poor soils.

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Lighting

Part Sun

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
This plant is salt tolerant and takes sea spray well, making it an exceptional beach front planting. Too much water can also be a problem because it can lead to slowed growth, dieback and root rot that causes the foliage to discolor and die. Southern wax myrtle tolerates moist and dry soils, but grows best when watered around the drip line every 10 to 14 days; however, don't water your tree around the trunk.
Pruning
Heavy pruning of Wax Myrtle to reduce size or to tree form should be performed in late winter, while the plant is dormant. Use a sharp pair of bypass hand pruners to selectively remove stray or damaged branches. When removing a stray branch, make your cut at a point along the branch even with main form of the plant.
Fertilizer
Wax Myrtle are light feeders however will benefit from fertilization. Fertilize in spring with a slow-release shrub & tree food, preferably one that contains Sulfur and/or Iron. Alternatively, you can feed with a natural organic plant food.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Wax Myrtle can be grown in full sun or part shade. Plants growing in more sun will have more dense foliage. A minimum of 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight is suggested.
Soil
Waxmyrtles are not particular about soil, but they prefer good drainage and slightly acidic soils.
Temperature
Evergreens and more frost-resistant trees and shrubs should fare better. Common examples of this group of plants are yaupon hollies, wax myrtles, and crape myrtles. These species may brown in sections, but ultimately survive.