American Wintergreen Plant Care

American Wintergreen (Pyrola americana) belongs to the Ericaceae family within the Pyrola genus. American Wintergreen is native to Canada and the United States. American Wintergreen is also known as Shinleaf.

American Wintergreen displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. American Wintergreen produces small, bell-shaped white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted American Wintergreen every 3–5 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.

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

Pyrola americana tolerates temperatures of 50–70°F. American Wintergreen prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Moist, acidic, well-draining soil rich in organic matter like peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for American Wintergreen to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed American Wintergreen every 8 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 moist, acidic, well-draining soil rich in organic matter like peat moss and pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

American Wintergreen 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.

American Wintergreen can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 American Wintergreen 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.

American Wintergreen 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.

American Wintergreen can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to liverleaf wintergreen plant care, which shares the same genus.

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American Wintergreen is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leaf spot. 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.

American Wintergreen grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. American Wintergreen is native to Canada and the United States. In cooler regions, grow American Wintergreen as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.