Myrtus communis

Myrtus communis, more widely referred to as the common myrtle, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Mediterranean and parts of northern Africa.  Favored by the ancient Romans and Greeks, the common myrtle's extraordinary blooms were said to represent innocence and love on account of the white petals and stamens known to carry a sweet fragrance.  Upon its introduction to England, this sentiment was rekindled and, to this day, myrtle sprigs have been incorporated into the royal British wedding bouquets.  Though the elegant blooms may take most of the spotlight, the common myrtle's foliage has played an important role in its popularity due to its applications in herbal medicines and in culinary creations.  Petite, dark-green, lanceolate leaves decorate the long-stretching woody stems of the common myrtle, growing outward like a beaming star.  After a warm summer has enabled a common myrtle to bloom, small purplish-black berries are produced in their place.  These blueberry-like fruits can be safely eaten or planted for propagation.  

When planting outdoors, provide common myrtle with a location that receives 4–8 hours of direct sunshine and is also protected from harsh winds.  In the winter, cold, dry winds can sap the moisture from the plants' foliage and leave them susceptible to infection.  If grown indoors as a bonsai, make sure to place it in a brightly lit area with lots of space for air flow.  Set indoor myrtles outdoors in a partially shaded spot during hot summers to encourage blooming and in a cold room during the fall, preferably at 50°F / 10°C.  The ideal soil conditions are a compost with a high loam content, kept moist, and placed under glass.  However, common myrtle will adapt to most any well-draining soil, including clay and sand mixtures.  Water young common myrtle plants once per week, but do not soak them completely.  Older plants should only need to be watered once every two to four weeks, but a higher frequency of watering can be tolerated.  Lime found in tap water can be harmful to common myrtle plants in high concentrations, but using collected rainwater can help to circumnavigate this issue.  Common myrtle should be fertilized once per year when grown outdoors, and preferably in the early spring.  When grown indoors, the plants may be fertilized weekly throughout the growing season with a liquid fertilizer.  If the plant continues to grow during the winter, it may need to be fertilized again, but only once every two weeks.  Learn more in the Plant Story community!

3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

Myrtus Communis

Myrtus communis

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