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Meet the Natives: Wax Myrtle
The wax myrtle (Morella cerifera) is a hardy shrub found throughout Florida. It grows naturally in disturbed sites and along forest and wetland edges. Wax myrtle is quick-growing and can grow in full sun to part shade, and moist to wet soils. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and moderately salt spray-tolerant.
Typically, the shrubs grow to 10-15 feet tall (though some reports claim they can reach up to 25 ft!) and 8 feet wide. Like legumes, wax myrtle has the unique ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into usable soil nitrogen, making it a great addition to gardens with nutrient-poor soil.
Wax myrtle is dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female plants. The waxy berries found on female plants were traditionally used to make bayberry candles!
A great addition to wildlife gardens, their berries feed a variety of bird species, and their ample foliage provides important shelter and nesting habitat. Wax myrtle is also the larval host plant for the red-banded hairstreak.
Incorporate wax myrtle into your garden as an attractive, adaptable specimen tree or as a border plant for hedges.
*Note: Unfortunately, in the past, wax myrtle was susceptible to the lobate lac scale pest; that issue has not been noted as extensively in recent years.
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Visit our Native Landscapes & Garden Center to learn more about planting native!