Shrub
Wax Myrtle
Morella cerifera
Varieties We Carry
StandardMorella cerifera
Sizes & Pricing
3 galFrom$14.95
7 galFrom$44.95
15 galFrom$125.00
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightFull Sun, Part Shade
WaterLow to Moderate
Mature size10-20 feet × 10-20 feet
About Wax Myrtle
Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) is a fast-growing, aromatic native evergreen shrub or small tree found throughout the southeastern US Coastal Plain and into the Caribbean. Its small, waxy, blue-gray berries are a critical winter food source for the Yellow-rumped Warbler and many other birds. The resinous, fragrant foliage and tolerance of wet, dry, and salt-spray conditions make it one of the most versatile native plants in Florida. Starting at $14.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Acidic, Well-drained, Wet
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Higher water demand in summer heat.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Wax myrtle grows in full sun to part shade. Full sun produces the densest growth and best berry set; it can tolerate part shade but becomes more open and leggy.
Water
Extremely adaptable once established — tolerates both periodic flooding and dry, sandy upland conditions common in NE Florida. Water during establishment (first year); thereafter rain-fed except in extended drought.
Soil & Fertilizer
Grows in virtually any NE Florida soil: sandy, loamy, wet, or dry. No regular fertilizer needed; it fixes nitrogen via root symbionts. Prune to shape twice yearly to maintain density and prevent leggy branching.
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Common questions
Is Wax Myrtle a good plant for St. Augustine?
Wax Myrtle is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with high salt tolerance, reaching 10-20 feet × 10-20 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.