Flowering Wintergreen Plant Care

Flowering Wintergreen (Pyxidanthera barbulata) belongs to the Diapensiaceae family within the Pyxidanthera genus. Flowering Wintergreen is native to the eastern United States, occurring on the coast from Long Island to New Jersey and Virginia to South Carolina. Flowering Wintergreen is also known as Pine Barren Beauty, Bristle-leaved Pyxie, Pyxie.

Flowering Wintergreen displays a low mat-forming groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Flowering Wintergreen produces small white star-shaped flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Flowering Wintergreen every 7–10 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.

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

Pyxidanthera barbulata tolerates temperatures of 50–70°F. Flowering Wintergreen prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

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

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

Flowering 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.

Flowering Wintergreen can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Flowering 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.

Flowering 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.

Flowering Wintergreen can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pine barren beauty plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Flowering Wintergreen is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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.

Flowering Wintergreen grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Flowering Wintergreen is native to the eastern United States, occurring on the coast from Long Island to New Jersey and Virginia to South Carolina. In cooler regions, grow Flowering Wintergreen as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.