Species

shrubN. America Native

Don's Dwarf Wax Myrtle

The Story

Plant Bio

Morella cerifera (formerly Myrica cerifera), or Wax Myrtle, is a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing native shrub or small tree. Its leaves are aromatic when crushed and it produces waxy, grayish-white berries on female plants.

'Don's Dwarf' is a compact, dwarf selection that maintains a dense, rounded habit without pruning. It is significantly smaller than the species, making it suitable for smaller gardens and foundation plantings.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides fine-textured, aromatic, evergreen foliage on a compact, rounded shrub. Its dense habit makes it an excellent structural plant in the landscape.

Extremely tough and adaptable, it tolerates drought, wet soils, salt spray, and poor soil. Its nitrogen-fixing ability helps improve the soil for surrounding plants.

A keystone native plant, its waxy berries are a critical high-fat winter food source for many bird species, including yellow-rumped warblers. It is also a host plant for the Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly.

SpeciesMorella ceriferaWax Myrtle

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

60"

Width

60"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Low to high

Humidity

Tolerates high humidity

Lifespan

Long-lived shrub

Native To

Eastern and Southern US

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Early spring – Mid-spring

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a location in full sun or light shade.
This plant adapts to almost any soil type, wet or dry.
Dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the root ball.
Place the plant in the hole, ensuring it's at the same depth.
Backfill with the original soil.
Water well after planting to establish.

Pro Tip

Avoid fertilizing Wax Myrtles; as nitrogen-fixing plants, they create their own and excess fertilizer can harm them.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant it and largely forget it; it's very low maintenance.
Prune only as needed to shape in late winter.
Crush a leaf occasionally to enjoy the bayberry scent.
Plant both male and female plants if you want berries.

Don't

Don't fertilize the plant.
Don't plant in deep shade, which can lead to a sparse habit.
Don't worry about poor soil; it thrives in it.
Don't over-prune; its natural form is best.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant
Prune

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Low-maintenance native hedgeFoundation planting for tough sitesCoastal garden staple

Companion Plants

Ilex vomitoria Baccharis halimifolia Panicum virgatum Schizachyrium scoparium Rudbeckia hirta

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Don's Dwarf Wax Myrtle questions

What zones can Don's Dwarf Wax Myrtle grow in?

Don's Dwarf Wax Myrtle is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Don's Dwarf Wax Myrtle deer resistant?

Yes — Don's Dwarf Wax Myrtle is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Don's Dwarf Wax Myrtle bloom?

Don's Dwarf Wax Myrtle typically blooms in early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Don's Dwarf Wax Myrtle need full sun?

Don's Dwarf Wax Myrtle does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Don's Dwarf Wax Myrtle drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Don's Dwarf Wax Myrtle handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.