An award-winning specimen, Common myrtle is an evergreen shrub in the Myrtacae (myrtle) family. Ancient civilizations used the leaves for medicinal and culinary purposes. The showy white blooms were a symbol of love. This symbol continued as the Common myrtle was introduced in England during the 16th century and can still be found in British wedding bouquets. Although it can grow over time to reach heights and widths of up to 12', the typical range will be 5-6' tall and wide. It can be grown as both a large shrub or a small tree. Some varieties are grown as a bonsai. For the best performance, provide a loamy compost. It will adapt to both clay and sandy soils. Most parts of the plant have culinary uses. The berries that follow the flowers are edible. Fruits, flowers and leaves when dried are used as a food flavoring. The leaves are also used as a bay leaf substitute. Some even use the wood to flavor meats. When added to a charcoal grill, the wood will add a mild flavor to your BBQ. Oils obtained from the bark, flowers and leaves are used in the production of skin care products. Very resistant to honey fungus. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insure proper drainage to prevent root rot. Scale, spider mites and thrips are insects that can damage this plant during hot, dry weather. When grown indoors, scale, mealybug or whitefly can occur when the conditions include a warm room with low light and moisture. Young spring growth can be damaged by a late frost.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheCamellia Winter GroupCitrus x aurantiifoliaThymus vulgaris
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Rounded
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The small evergreen leaves give off beautiful fragrance when crushed. The upper side is a dark glossy green, while the underside is a lighter green with transparent dots.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Head; Solitary
Flower shape
Radial; Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The showy white flowers with numerous yellow stamens.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black; Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Purplish-black berries will appear after the flowers are no longer blooming. Although edible, the taste isn't very flavorful.
Bark color
Dark Brown
Bark detail
As a plant ages, the bark peels and becomes furrowed and thickens.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Northern Africa, southwestern Asia, southern Europe
Wildlife value
Birds are attracted to the berries. Its flowers will attract bees.