When myrtle came to England in the 16th century, gardeners continued to honor this symbolism.
Myrtle sprigs are still used in lavish, royal British wedding bouquets today.
The plant’s dark green leaves are small, lanceolate, and leathery.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Little white, fuzzy, bowl-shaped flowers come in late summer.
Each fruit produces up to 30 seeds.
The cinnamon-colored bark peels and becomes furrowed with age, as the trunk thickens slowly.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
If growing as a bonsai indoors, it will need a lot of light and air.
Set in semi-shade outside in the hot summer.
In autumn, bring inside a cool room where temperatures are around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Place on a south-facing windowsill or beneath grow lights.
Soil
EstablishMyrtus communisin moist but well-drained soil.
Beware of iron chlorosis in highly alkaline soil that has a pH higher than 8.3.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
If this occurs,lower the soil pHwith a treatment of elemental sulfur or nitrogen fertilizer.
Myrtle does not do well with high concentrations of lime found in tap water.
It may benefit the plant toharvest rainwaterfor waterings.
It does not tolerate high humidity.
Fertilizer
Outdoors, fertilize once a year in early spring.
Indoors, use a liquid fertilizer weekly during the growing season.
Flavor sauces and syrups with dried myrtle fruits and flower buds.
Flowers have both a sweet scent and a sweet flavor.
In Italy, some people eat the flower buds directly off the plant or use them to garnish theirsalads.
An essential oil can be made from the leaves and twigs.
This plant has been known to have antibiotic, antidiarrhoeal, antiseptic, and astringent properties.
Common Myrtle Varieties
Propagating Common Myrtle
Propagate by seeds or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.
Sow seed under a cold frame in autumn.
When new growth begins to firm up, clip non-flowering shoots.
If a shoot is flowering, remove the buds first.
Plant in a 50/50 mixture of sand and compost out of direct sunlight.
Rooting takes six to 12 weeks.
Pot each specimen in gritty compost and overwinter indoors in a frost-free location.
Transplant outdoors or indoors in spring.
Every two or three years, repot younger myrtles.
Like the water, the soil mix needs to be lime-free.
Add some peat or Kanuma to a normal soil mix.
Pruning
Prune after the bloom period.
To encourage the tree to grow small, remove spent blooms and clean any dead or diseased wood.
To create a hedge, sheer the plant to the desired size.
Naturally, bonsai and topiary forms require more pruning from infancy.
Mend large wounds withcut paste.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Generally, the common myrtle is pest-free outdoors.
Thrips and spider mites may also appear but in hot, dry weather.
Bonzai myrtle trees need lots of light.
It displays no toxic effects for pets or people.
