
In the landscape
Barrier · Hedge · Small tree · Coastal · Naturalized · Pond · Riparian · Small space
Data sources
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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