Southern Wax Myrtle

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

15 Feet

Mature Spread

10-15 Feet

Growing Zones

7 to 11

Wax Myrtle (Southern Wax Myrtle) is the easygoing evergreen that does it all—fast growth, fragrant foliage, and a naturally elegant shape. It’s a native screening shrub that thrives in coastal or urban conditions, shrugging off salt spray, wind, and lean soils while staying lush and green.

Use it to build a stylish privacy hedge, clip into a neat small tree, or anchor wildlife-friendly borders where birds feast on persistent winter berries. Expect quick coverage and year-round texture without high maintenance or fussy care.

Wax Myrtle (Southern Wax Myrtle) Care

Give Wax Myrtle full sun to part shade; 6–8 hours of direct sun promotes the densest screen. Plant in well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH ~6.0–6.5); it’s adaptable from moist to dry once established but dislikes high pH and deep shade. Water weekly the first growing season, then as needed during drought; mulch 2–3 inches deep to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature.

Feed lightly each spring with a slow-release, balanced shrub fertilizer if growth slows. Prune in late winter before new growth to shape hedges or limb up into a small tree; avoid hard shearing after midsummer. Hardy in USDA Zones 7–10; containers in colder pockets may need winter protection. Note: plants are dioecious—female plants fruit only with a nearby male.

Wax Myrtle (Southern Wax Myrtle) Spacing

For a single specimen, allow 8–12 feet of open space and keep 4–6 feet from walls or paths for natural spread. For a privacy hedge or windbreak, plant 5–6 feet on center; stagger in two rows 6–7 feet apart for faster coverage. In large containers, start with a 20–24 inch wide pot with drainage and a quality potting mix; upsize every 2–3 years. For a small tree form, stake lightly the first season and remove lower branches gradually.

Why Grow Wax Myrtle (Southern Wax Myrtle)?

• Fast, evergreen screening with aromatic foliage that looks good all year.
• Tough and versatile: tolerates salt spray, sandy soils, and urban conditions.
• Wildlife value: female plants produce waxy berries that persist into winter and feed birds.
• Flexible form: hedge it, shear lightly, or train into a handsome multi-stem tree.
• Low pest/disease pressure for an easier, low-maintenance landscape.

Ready to plant a refined, low-fuss screen that actually earns its keep? Add Wax Myrtle for quick privacy, coastal-tough performance, and four-season texture with a gentle, aromatic presence.