Western Teaberry Plant Care

Western Teaberry (Gaultheria ovatifolia) belongs to the Ericaceae family within the Gaultheria genus. Western Teaberry is native to western North America from British Columbia to California. Western Teaberry is also known as Oregon Wintergreen.

Western Teaberry displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Western Teaberry produces small white or pink bell-shaped flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Western Teaberry every 4–7 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.

Western Teaberry thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Western Teaberry in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Gaultheria ovatifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Western Teaberry prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

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

Feed Western Teaberry 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 partial to full shade and well-draining acidic soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Western Teaberry is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 8b.

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.

Western Teaberry can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 Western Teaberry 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.

Western Teaberry is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Western Teaberry can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to salal plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Western Teaberry is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, powdery mildew. 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.

Western Teaberry grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Western Teaberry is native to western North America from British Columbia to California.