Liverleaf Wintergreen (Pyrola asarifolia)

Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist

Liverleaf Wintergreen Plant Care

Pyrola asarifolia Michx.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant's distinctive feature is its glossy, dark green, heart-shaped leaves that form a dense rosette. Pyrola asarifolia originates from North America, specifically in damp forests and bogs. Plant collectors are drawn to this species for its unique foliage and delicate white or pink flowers that bloom in the summer.

🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 3–5 days

Light

Partial to full shade

Temp

50–70°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Liverleaf Wintergreen?

Plant Liverleaf Wintergreen in partial to full shade (USDA zones 2a–7b) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–70°F (10–21°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Liverleaf Wintergreen Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Liverleaf Wintergreen?

Liverleaf Wintergreen (Pyrola asarifolia) belongs to the Ericaceae family within the Pyrola genus. Liverleaf Wintergreen is native to western North America. Liverleaf Wintergreen is also known as Pink Shinleaf, Asarum-leaved Shinleaf.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Liverleaf Wintergreen?

Water a young or newly planted Liverleaf 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 3–5 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Liverleaf Wintergreen Need?

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

Light Requirement

Partial to full shade

100–500 lux

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Liverleaf Wintergreen Prefer?

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

Temperature

50–70°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Liverleaf Wintergreen?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Liverleaf Wintergreen?

Feed Liverleaf 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.

Fertilizing

Every 8 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Liverleaf Wintergreen?

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.

Liverleaf Wintergreen is suited to USDA Zone 2a – 7b.

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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Liverleaf Wintergreen?

Liverleaf 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.

How Do You Prune a Liverleaf Wintergreen?

Prune Liverleaf 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.

How Do You Care for a Liverleaf Wintergreen in Winter?

Liverleaf Wintergreen is hardy down to USDA zone 2a, 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.

How Do You Propagate a Liverleaf Wintergreen?

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

Is the Liverleaf Wintergreen Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Liverleaf Wintergreen, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

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

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Liverleaf Wintergreen?

Liverleaf 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Liverleaf Wintergreen Need?

Liverleaf Wintergreen grows outdoors in USDA Zone 2a – 7b. It survives winters down to planting zone 2a. Liverleaf Wintergreen is native to western North America.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 2a – 7b

Keep exploring plants

Liverleaf Wintergreen is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Pyrola genus — compare its care with other Pyrola species on PlantoScan.

Pyrola is part of the Ericaceae plant family — browse all Ericaceae genera and species.

Liverleaf Wintergreen copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.

More Pyrola Species

Other Pyrola species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Pyrola asarifolia Michx., family Ericaceae (first published in Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 251 (1803)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Liverleaf Wintergreen, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 2a – 7b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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