Southern Wax Myrtle Plant Care

Southern Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera) belongs to the Myricaceae family within the Myrica genus. Southern Wax Myrtle is native to North and Central America and the Caribbean. Southern Wax Myrtle is also known as Wax Myrtle, Southern Bayberry, Waxleaf.

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

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Southern Wax Myrtle 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.

Southern Wax Myrtle thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Myrica cerifera tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Southern Wax Myrtle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Southern Wax Myrtle 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.

Southern Wax Myrtle is suited to USDA Zone 7a – 11b.

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.

Southern Wax Myrtle 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 Southern Wax 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 tree in one year.

Southern Wax Myrtle is hardy down to USDA zone 7a, 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 trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

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

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Southern Wax Myrtle 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.

Southern Wax Myrtle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Southern Wax Myrtle is native to North and Central America and the Caribbean.