Wax myrtle is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree in the bayberry family (Myricaceae) that may grow 20 to 25 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide, but usually is much shorter. Native to the United States from New Jersey to Central America and the Caribbean, it is winter hardy to USDA Zones 7 through 10 but only semi-evergreen in the northern zones. Wax myrtle is easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to dappled or partial shade. It even grows in the elusive dry shade. It does best when initially grown with constant moisture, but once established in the landscape it will grow in a wide range of soil conditions ranging from wet swampy areas to dry xeric uplands. Wax myrtle usually requires both male and female plants for good berry production. The shrub tends to sucker, sometimes forming sizable colonies in optimum growing conditions. It is tolerant of high winds, sterile soil and salt spray and may be grown in seaside areas. Wax myrtle is quite versatile in the landscape. Saline and urban tolerance make it appropriate for confinement within pavement and locations near roads that are salted in winter. It is an interesting plant for grouping in the corner of a large herb, native, winter, children’s, butterfly or pollinator garden. It is also a good selection for stream or pond margins where periodic flooding or drought may occur or on a bank for erosion control. Use it as a barrier, privacy hedge or attractive small tree with lower limbs removed. The plant can be pruned, but keep in mind that next season's fruit will appear on old growth. Fire Risk: These shrubs are considered to be potential fire hazards in some areas because the leaves, stems and branches contain flammable aromatic compounds. Because of this, they should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home. Quick ID Hints: Yellowish resin glands on underside of leaf. Sessile, gray fruits in clusters on 2nd year wood. Narrowly oblanceolate, attenuate leaves. Waxy fruits are highly aromatic. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. This plant is subject to leaf drop during acclimatization or after extremely cold temperatures. Leaf browning also typically occurs in cold winters. Watch for leaf anthracnose and leaf mosaic.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
The leaves of the waxmyrtle are alternate, simple, glossy, aromatic, narrowly obovate or oblanceolate, serrate at the apex, attenuate, olive green leaves (to 3-5” long) which are glabrous above and are dotted with tiny yellow resin glands on the bottom. The leaves, particularly the new growth, emit the distinctive bayberry candle fragrance when crushed.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower form
Catkin
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers of the Waxmyrtle are fragrant but non-showy, with only the flowers on male plants (catkins to 1” long) displaying some color (a drab yellowish-green). They are apetalous. Male flowers have multiple stamens, while female flowers are a one-celled ovary. Flowers bloom in April. Male and female flowers are usually on separate plants, but sometimes a plant produces both male and female flowers or bisexual flowers.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Blue; Gray/Silver; White
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Fragrant; Long-lasting; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Pollinated female flowers are followed by small attractive sessile clusters (2-6 fruits on previous season's growth) of tiny, globose, gray fruits that are each surrounded by an aromatic waxy substance. Fruits are present from August through October. Yellow-rumped warblers (Dendroica coronata) and tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) can digest the wax on the fruits and are important seed dispersers of wax myrtle.
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray; White
Bark detail
Gray-brown, almost white, with a thin, smooth surface.
Stem detail
Stems are rounded or angular and resin-dotted when young.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
New Jersey to Central America, Caribbean, NC
Wildlife value
Waxmyrtle provides excellent winter and extreme weather cover. It is a host plant for the Red-Banded Hairstreak butterfly. Flowers provide an excellent source of nectar for honeybees and butterflies. The fruits are eaten by birds, especially yellow-rumped warbler (which are very efficient at digesting the waxy fruits) in the fall and winter.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds
The fruits of this species have been used for many years to make bayberry candles, soaps, and sealing wax. This plant was also used to make medicine by Native Americans. The leaves have been used for a textile dye.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Naturalized Area; Pond; Recreational Play Area; Riparian; Small Space; Woodland