Myrtle Distylium Plant Care

Myrtle Distylium (Distylium myricoides) belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family within the Distylium genus. Myrtle Distylium is native to southern China.

Myrtle Distylium displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Myrtle Distylium produces inconspicuous small red blooms.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Myrtle Distylium every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Myrtle Distylium thrives in full sun to part shade.

Distylium myricoides tolerates temperatures of 20–90°F. Myrtle Distylium prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Myrtle Distylium to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Myrtle Distylium every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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 part shade and well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Myrtle Distylium is suited to USDA Zone 9a.

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

Myrtle Distylium can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 tree spacing calculator.

Prune Myrtle Distylium 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 tree in one year.

Myrtle Distylium is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Myrtle Distylium can be propagated through softwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to japanese witch hazel plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Myrtle Distylium is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects. 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.

Myrtle Distylium grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Myrtle Distylium is native to southern China. In cooler regions, grow Myrtle Distylium as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.