Myrtus, commonly known as Myrtle, is an elegant evergreen plant cherished for its beauty and aroma. Its adaptability allows it to thrive in various settings, enhancing gardens and homes with its refined presence.
Myrtus Overview and Common Varieties
Myrtus plants typically grow as dense, bushy evergreen shrubs or small trees, reaching heights of 5 to 15 feet and widths of up to 10 feet when mature. They feature small, glossy, dark green leaves that are oval or lanceolate in shape and release a pleasant scent when crushed. In late spring or summer, Myrtus produces abundant, showy white flowers, about three-quarters of an inch across, with numerous yellow-tipped stamens that create a star-like appearance. These blossoms are often followed by small, round, bluish-black berries in autumn.
Its bark, initially reddish-brown, matures into a scaly, greyish-brown, revealing an orange tone underneath. Common varieties include ‘Compacta’ and ‘Nana,’ which are dwarf forms with smaller leaves, ‘Tarentina,’ a compact, bushy variety, and ‘Leucocarpa,’ known for its white berries.
Comprehensive Care Guide
Light Requirements
Myrtus thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering. While it can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates, insufficient light may result in less vigorous growth and fewer blooms. When grown indoors, Myrtus needs bright light, ideally from a south-facing window or under grow lights.
Watering Practices
Establishing Myrtus plants requires consistent moisture, particularly when they are young, necessitating regular watering, often once a week or more in hot weather. Mature plants become more drought-tolerant and prefer deeper watering every two to four weeks, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering should be avoided as Myrtus is susceptible to root rot, and it benefits from lime-free water, such as rainwater.
Soil Preferences
Myrtus prefers well-drained soil that is moderately fertile and ranges from slightly acidic to neutral or mildly alkaline, with a pH between 6.0 and 8.3. It can adapt to various soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils, provided they offer good drainage. For container-grown plants, a loam-based compost or a mix of potting soil with peat or sand is suitable.
Temperature and Humidity
Myrtus is hardy in USDA Zones 8-11, tolerating temperatures down to about 10°F (-12°C) if sheltered from cold, drying winds. It prefers temperatures between 30°F and 95°F (about -1°C to 35°C). While it generally does not tolerate high outdoor humidity, moderate humidity is preferred, and indoor plants may benefit from regular misting, especially in dry heated environments.
Fertilization
For outdoor Myrtus shrubs, a balanced 10-10-10 general-purpose fertilizer should be applied annually in early spring before flowering begins. Trees may benefit from fertilization every two to three years. Indoor Myrtus plants require more frequent feeding, typically a liquid fertilizer weekly during the active growing season (spring and summer), or every two weeks if they continue growing in winter.
Pruning and Propagation
Pruning Myrtus helps maintain its desired shape, promotes bushiness, and removes any dead or diseased branches. The best time for pruning is in early spring or late winter, before new growth starts, or after the threat of frost has passed. Young shoots can be pinched back in the first two years to encourage a denser form.
Myrtus can be propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings, ideally taken in summer or early autumn from non-flowering shoots. Cuttings should be 4-6 inches long, with lower leaves removed and the cut end dipped in rooting hormone. Plant these in a well-draining mix of sand and compost, keeping the medium moist in a warm, shaded environment. Rooting can take six to twelve weeks, and once established, the young plants can be potted individually.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Outdoors, Myrtus plants are often pest-free, though sooty mold can indicate sucking insects like whiteflies, aphids, or mealybugs, which excrete honeydew. Thrips and spider mites may also appear in hot, dry conditions. For indoor plants, scale, mealybugs, and whiteflies are more common, particularly in warm rooms lacking adequate light and moisture.
Overwatering or poor drainage can cause root rot, manifesting as wilted stems and yellowing leaves. Conversely, insufficient water can lead to wilting. Iron chlorosis, characterized by yellowing leaves, can occur in highly alkaline soils with a pH above 8.3, which can be remedied by lowering the soil pH with elemental sulfur or nitrogen fertilizer.
Uses and Cultural Significance
Myrtus is cultivated for its ornamental value, serving as an attractive shrub in gardens and parks. Its dense foliage makes it suitable for hedges and borders, and it can be trained into various shapes, including topiary and bonsai forms.
Beyond its aesthetic uses, Myrtus holds historical and cultural significance. In ancient Greek and Roman mythology, it was sacred to goddesses of love, symbolizing love, purity, and fertility. Sprigs of Myrtus have traditionally been incorporated into wedding bouquets across Europe, continuing to symbolize love and marital happiness. The berries and leaves have minor culinary uses, such as flavoring dishes or producing liqueurs like Mirto in Sardinia.