Common Fringe Myrtle Plant Care

Common Fringe Myrtle (Calytrix tetragona) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Calytrix genus. Common Fringe Myrtle is native to all states of Australia. Common Fringe Myrtle is also known as Winter Cherry, Dwarf Christmas Bush, Native Myrtle.

Common Fringe Myrtle displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Common Fringe Myrtle produces small, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Common Fringe Myrtle every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Common Fringe Myrtle thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Calytrix tetragona tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Common Fringe Myrtle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for Common Fringe Myrtle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Common Fringe Myrtle every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter like compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Common Fringe Myrtle is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Common Fringe Myrtle can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Common Fringe Myrtle while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Common Fringe Myrtle is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Common Fringe Myrtle can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bristleless starflower plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Common Fringe Myrtle is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Common Fringe Myrtle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Common Fringe Myrtle is native to all states of Australia. In cooler regions, grow Common Fringe Myrtle as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.