Grown in pots, wintergreen is also a popular holiday gift plant.
A common characteristic of all varieties of wintergreen is their moderate to slow growth rate.
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Wintergreen Plant Care
Plant wintergreen in the early spring.
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Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Use amoisture meterto confirm when it’s time to water.
The plants are shade-tolerant and may even grow in dense shade but will produce few or no flowers.
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Bright filtered sunlight will keep plants from scorching while giving them enough energy to produce blossoms and fruit.
Soil
Wintergreen is not finicky about soil quality.
It will also grow in nutrient-rich soil as well as in poor soil as long as it is well-drained.
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As a member of theheath(Ericaceae) family, wintergreen prefers acidic soil.
Water
Consistent moisture is important to the health of wintergreen.
The more sunlight your plants receive, the more moisture they will require.
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In dry spells and droughts, give them one inch of water per week.
The plants fare poorly in hot, dry climates.
Fertilizer
No supplemental fertilizer is necessary for wintergreen plants.
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These plants are adapted to grow in areas with poor soil that is low in nutrients.
Remove any dead or dying branches, and consider removing additional plant matter to encourage good air circulation.
As a general rule of thumb, avoid pruning more than one third of the plant at a time.
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Therefore, propagation is limited to the species only.
Wintergreen plants spread by creeping rhizomes and, as such, are easy to propagate with rooted stems.
Alternatively, use a specially formulated planting soil for acid-loving plants.
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Occasionally, aphids and thrips may seek out the plants.
They are easy enough to blast away with a jet of water.
Poorly draining soils can lead to root rot or mildew.
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Other potential diseases are black and mildew and leaf spot.
How Long Does Wintergreen Bloom?
The plants bloom for several weeks during the late spring to early summer.
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What Do Wintergreen Flowers Look and Smell Like?
They form at the base of the leaves and have a sweet fragrance.
Deadheading wont produce more blooms.
Caring for Wintergreen After It Blooms
No after-bloom care is needed.
Wintergreen is not a mint; it is a different species and not in the mint family.
Because of its sweet-spicy minty odor and flavor, it is often associated with mint.
Wintergreen is not known to be toxic to pets.
The berries of wintergreen plants are edible but not particularly sought after.
Fresh wintergreen berries have a menthol flavor that isn’t typically suitable for cooking.
Yes, wintergreen berries are available throughout the winter, attracting hungry squirrels.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
