Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
An excellent choice for winter interest, Peppermint Pearl Wintergreen is a lovely subshrub native to Eastern North America. Growing to just 6-8” tall, this plant performs exceptionally well in cold weather, with dark green leaves and an abundance of white berries persisting from fall through winter. Dainty, bell-shaped white flowers adorn the plants in mid-summer, later giving way to the pretty white berries.
Peppermint Pearl Wintergreen, botanically known as Gaultheria procumbens, is an evergreen hardy to USDA Zones 4-9. Its low-growing and creeping habit makes it a great groundcover to fill in woodland and shade gardens. It can also be used in containers for festive holiday plantings. Its fruit and leaves are edible with a unique, mild, minty flavor. Also known as teaberry, this plant has been traditionally used to make delicious candies, teas, and baked goods. Teaberry ice cream is an old-time favorite dessert made from this groundcover.
Peppermint Pearl Wintergreen Care
Place Peppermint Pearl Wintergreen in partial to full shade. More sun can be tolerated if the soil is watered often. Acidic woodland soils that are rich in organic matter are ideal for this little plant. Using a peat-based mulch can help lower the soil pH. Water Peppermint Pearl regularly to maintain good soil moisture, as this plant does not like dry conditions. It is relatively adaptable to its environment and does not require regular fertilization. Plant at soil level and water thoroughly until established.
Prune dead wood to encourage new growth. This plant can also be cut back in spring to aid in shaping. Winter care is not necessary, as this plant is very cold hardy. This deer-tolerant groundcover is a low-maintenance garden staple!
Peppermint Pearl Wintergreen Spacing
Space Peppermint Pearl Wintergreen about 10-12” apart to allow room to grow. This subshrub spreads slowly by rhizomes and will fill in small spaces nicely.
Product Images Courtesy of Concept Plants
Peppermint Pearl Wintergreen Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Shade to Part Shade (0-4 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 6-11 Inches
- Mature Spread
- 6-18 Inches
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Growth Habit
- , Spreading, Trailing
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White, Pink
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Harvest Time
- Late Summer through winter
- Foliage Color
- , Green, White
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, 4 Season Interest, Fall Interest, Spring Flowering, Winter Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Peppermint Pearl Wintergreen
- Botanical Name
- GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS 'PEPPERMINT PEARL'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!