Southern wax myrtle
Myrica cerifera
Last reviewed: August 2026
Southern wax myrtle is an evergreen shrub that blooms in March and April, tolerating part sun to part shade and medium moisture in coastal plains, sandy soils and wetland edges.
Toxicity unknown
Southern wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
60"–240" H × 60"–180" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr
Native to
AL, AR, DE, FL and 10 more states
Before you buy
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A dense, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub or small tree with narrow, aromatic olive-green leaves that release a resinous scent when crushed. Produces inconspicuous spring flowers followed by clusters of small, waxy gray-blue berries on female plants. Fast-growing and adaptable, tolerating wet or dry soils and salt exposure.
Growing Southern wax myrtle
Grow Southern wax myrtle in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 60 to 240 inches tall and spread 60 to 180 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Southern wax myrtle is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: street edge, mid zone.
- can sucker and form dense thickets if not maintained
- mature size may be too large for tight foundation beds
Wildlife value
Host plant for red-banded hairstreak.
Waxy berries persist into winter and are an important cold-season food source for birds, while dense evergreen branching offers year-round cover.
Common questions
- Is Southern wax myrtle evergreen or deciduous?
- Southern wax myrtle keeps its narrow, aromatic leaves year round, making it a reliable evergreen screen or hedge plant.
- How much sun does Southern wax myrtle need?
- It grows best in part sun but adapts to full sun or part shade, adjusting its density depending on light levels.
- How much water does Southern wax myrtle require?
- It prefers medium moisture but tolerates conditions from occasionally wet, low-lying ground to drier sandy sites once established.
- When does Southern wax myrtle bloom?
- Southern wax myrtle produces small, inconspicuous flowers in March and April, followed later by clusters of waxy gray-blue berries on female plants.
- What growth form does Southern wax myrtle have?
- It grows as a multi-stemmed shrub, often used for informal hedges, screens, or naturalized plantings in coastal and wetland-adjacent landscapes.
- Is Southern wax myrtle HOA-friendly?
- Southern wax myrtle is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Southern wax myrtle? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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