yardremake
A mature Southern Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Barrier · Hedge · Small tree · Coastal · Naturalized · Pond · Riparian · Small space

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Southern Wax Myrtle

Morella cerifera · Perennial

Southern Wax Myrtle is a fast-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 7-10, that matures to about 10–15 ft × 8–10 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with high water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect yellow and green blooms in winter and spring. It attracts butterflies, pollinators and small mammals, stands up well to deer and drought and dry soil.

USDA zones
7-10
Sun
Full sun, Part shade
Water
High
Mature size
10–15 ft × 8–10 ft
Spacing
6–12 ft
Growth rate
Fast
Maintenance
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry, Occasionally-wet
Foliage
Green
Bloom color
Yellow, Green
Bloom season
Winter, Spring
Attracts
Butterflies, Pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds
Tough against
Deer, Drought, Dry soil, Poor soil, Salt, Pollution, Wet soil, Wind
Native to
North America, Central America, Caribbean

Will it survive your winters?

We score Southern Wax Myrtle’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9 · Zone 10

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