Faya Plant Care

Faya (Myrica faya) belongs to the Myricaceae family within the Myrica genus. Faya is native to Macaronesia, and possibly also western coastal mainland Portugal. Faya is also known as Faya-de-azores, Azores bayberry.

Faya displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Faya produces inconspicuous small flowers in catkins.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Faya 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.

Faya thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Myrica faya tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Faya prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Faya to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Faya every 6 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 partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Faya is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Faya can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 Faya 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.

Faya 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.

Faya can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to california bay plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Faya is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. 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.

Faya grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Faya is native to Macaronesia, and possibly also western coastal mainland Portugal. In cooler regions, grow Faya as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.