Christmas Wintergreen

Light Needs

Part Shade to Part Sun

(3-6 Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

3-6 Inches

Mature Spread

16 Inches

Growing Zones

3 to 7

Gaultheria procumbens is a native shrubby groundcover at its best in the fall and winter when the brightest red berries appear. The combination of dark-green evergreen foliage and berries gives this plant a festive look that can be enjoyed indoors as decoration or in the garden as a useful and tough groundcover. Wintergreen is at home in the shady garden and attracts beneficial pollinators through the summer with its delicate, waxy flowers. Later in the fall and winter, songbirds are attracted to the juicy fruit. Wintergreen is Native to the Eastern half of the United States and is often called Teaberry. The original flavoring of Wintergreen comes from the leaves, and tea can be made from the leaves and edible berries. 

Christmas Wintergreen can be grown in a pot and used to decorate indoor spaces during the winter holidays. The deep-green leaves and red berries are lovely with other decorative plants like Rosemary, Fir boughs, and Birch branches. Outdoors, Wintergreen forms a tough groundcover that can suppress weeds and add a natural look to a woodland or shady garden. Gaultheria is low maintenance and grows well in damp or dry shade. 

Christmas Wintergreen Care

Wintergreen prefers acidic soil and tolerates a few hours of full sun in the early morning or late afternoon. Plant in a well-drained spot and mulch the root zone well with 2-3 inches of organic compost. Water deeply once a week to encourage the roots to grow deep in the soil. Container-grown plants should be watered when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Fertilize Wintergreen in the early spring with a granular, slow-release feed formulated for acid-loving plants. 

Pruning is seldom necessary for Wintergreen. Cut back winter damage in the spring, and remove sucker growth during the summer. This woody shrub will grow denser when given a few hours of direct sun, although this does not affect the blooming and fruiting ability. The berries are edible and can be eaten while you make tea from the leaves. Indoor-grown plants will appreciate cooler room temps around 65 degrees F and greatly benefit from misting with water every 2-3 days to add humidity. 

Christmas Wintergreen Spacing

Christmas wintergreens look best when planted in large numbers as a groundcover. The mature height is a dainty 6 inches, while the overall spread can be up to 16 inches. Plant each shrub 12 inches apart on center.

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