Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Sweetgale is a charming plant that can live in some of the most challenging conditions. The dark, glossy green foliage is narrow and has a pleasant scent. The green-hued flowers are not very showy and give way to small berries later in the season. As a native plant, Sweetgale requires very little care once it has settled in, but more importantly, this plant provides food and shelter for various native birds.
This shrub thrives in wet conditions, so it is a natural choice for damp areas, along streams, or near ponds or marshes. Sweetgale is so hardy it can even handle brackish and saltmarsh conditions. This shrub grows as a perennial in USDA zones 2 through 8.
Sweetgale Care
Plant in a location that receives between 3 and 6 hours of sunlight. Soil should be rich, moist, and well-drained. Sweetgale thrives in damp conditions and has high water needs. This plant does not need to be watered when the soil is naturally wet, but monitor the conditions and water when the top few inches of soil dry out.
New plants benefit from a fertilizer high in phosphorus, while established shrubs do best with a balanced fertilizer applied during the spring. Prune and shape as needed after the flowers fade.
Sweetgale Spacing
This upright shrub has a mounded form and will reach 4 to 6 feet tall and equally wide. Create a full mass planting by spacing shrubs 3 to 5 feet apart.
Sweetgale Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 2 to 8 (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
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 4-6 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 4-6 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Brown, Green
- Flower Description
- Foliage plant
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old 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
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Sweetgale
- Botanical Name
- MYRICA GALE
- 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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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
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!