Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Myrtus communis or Common Myrtle

The genus Myrtus, family Myrtaceae, includes 3 species of shrubs native to Asia, Africa and Europe. The species are: Myrtus communis, Myrtus nivellei, Myrtus phyllireaefolia.

Common names: Common Myrtle, True Myrtle, Foxtail Myrtle. This species is native to the Mediterranean region.

They are compact evergreen shrubs that reach 3 meters (9.84 feet) in height. The leaves are opposite, shiny, leathery, pointed, aromatic and ovate in shape. The abundant white and scented flowers appear on long peduncles and have 5 petals and showy stamens. They bloom in summer and early fall. They produce edible blue-black or white berries with which a liqueur is made.

They are used in gardens as isolated specimens, to form hedges, in bushy groups, in clear undergrowths and on terraces in large pots. Its wood and its medicinal properties are also used: astringent, balsamic and anticatarrhal.

Myrtus communis prefers full sun exposure protected from the wind but also grows in semi-shade. Resists light and occasional frosts.

They grow in normal, well-drained garden soil.

They are drought-resistant plants that need weekly watering (one bucket of water per plant) in spring and autumn, watering every 3 days in summer and watering only every 2 weeks in winter. It's better to wait until the substrate is dry before watering.

They accept a pruning in late winter to shape them, especially if grown as hedges.

Fertilize with manure in autumn and during spring and summer with mineral fertilizer every 15 days.

They can be attacked by mealybugs if there is excess moisture.

They are propagated by cuttings in the summer and from seeds sown in the fall or spring.

Images of the shrub Myrtus communis or Common Myrtle