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Myrtle Plant: The Complete Guide and Care Tips
If you’re a gardener, then you know the importance of choosing the right plants that thrive in your area. Myrtle plant is one such plant that has been popular for centuries because of its beauty, fragrance, and medicinal properties. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about myrtle plant care.
What is Myrtle Plant?
The myrtle plant (Myrtus communis) is an evergreen shrub or small tree that belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It’s native to Mediterranean regions and grows up to 5 meters in height. The leaves are shiny green with white flowers during summer followed by blue-black berries in autumn.
Types of Myrtle Plant
- Common myrtle: It’s the most well-known variety of myrtle with fragrant flowers used for perfumery.
- Dwarf myrtle: It grows up to 60cm tall and has small leaves used as a culinary herb.
- Crape myrtle: It’s a different species altogether with showy pink or red-pink blooms often grown as ornamental trees or shrubs in warmer climates.
Growing Conditions
The best thing about growing a myrtle plant is that it adapts well to various soil types from sandy loam, clay loam soils but prefers well-draining soils with excellent drainage capabilities. Here are some other growing conditions for your consideration:
- Sunlight: Full sun exposure works great for this sun-loving plant; however, partial shade can help during excessive heat spells.
- Fertilizers: Myrtle plants don’t need much fertilizer; they prefer organic compost or well-rotted manure annually.
- Watering: The plant prefers moderate watering with soil that is moist but not too wet. Water it once a week during summers and reduce to twice a month in winters.
Care Tips for Myrtle Plant
The myrtle plant is relatively low maintenance, making it an ideal choice for novice gardeners. Here are some care tips you can follow to keep your myrtle healthy:
- Pests and diseases: Prone to spider mites, aphids, scales, and mealybugs. Prevent this by using neem oil or insecticidal soap spray during the growing season.
- Pruning: Regular pruning will help maintain its shape and promote bushier growth. Do so after flowering in autumn or early spring before new growth occurs.
- Salt Spraying: If you live near sea areas, then salty air can damage your myrtle plant leaves. In such cases, spraying water mixed with Epsom salt helps to counter the adverse effects of salt in the air on the foliage of your myrtle plant.
The Medicinal Benefits of Myrtle Plant
The ancient Greeks used essential oils extracted from myrtles for medicinal purposes because of its antibacterial properties and respiratory benefits. Today’s research has shown that certain compounds found in myrtles could assist with various health issues like stomach ailments, respiratory problems as well as skin conditions when applied topically as essential oil extract.
In Conclusion
If you’re looking for a versatile yet low-maintenance shrub that thrives on minimal care while providing a range of benefits from its aromatic flowers to medicinal properties, then myrtle plant is the perfect option for you. By following our simple growing tips and care guide, you can enjoy this beautiful plant in your garden for years to come.
