A myrtle care: How to grow Myrtus communis at home

Today I'm going to tell you about how to grow Myrtus communis (a Common myrtle) indoor. Plant lovers say that growing of a this tree is difficult. I agree with this statement. Nevertheless I have been cultivating the houseplant for 4 years! I want to betray you the secret: a myrtle care depends on a season.

A Common myrtle (Myrtus communis)

  In Spring

Spring is a good time for the green person. As a rule, in this season a myrtle doesn't give a plant grower a lot of trouble because the houseplant gets everything required. Spring pampers our green pet by the caressing sun, humid air and warm days without oppressive heat.

My lovely myrtle tree

We should locate a myrtle at a light place and water the plant when the topsoil dries out. (I water my myrtle daily in a warm season). Also we have to protect our green friend from plant pests.The enemies of Myrtus communis are red spiders, thrips, aphids, coccids, tortoise scales etc.


! In Spring we often transplant our "phytopets". Please, transplant a Common myrtle only by a transposition method because this houseplant has a fragile root system.

In Summer

A myrtle in Summer

A myrtle needs bright light all year round. However if the plant grows on a sunny windowsill in summertime this green person often suffers from the heat. This luxuriant tree may shed the leaves of the overheat.

 ! A common myrtle isn't deciduous houseplant. If our green pet sheds the leaves we have to rescue the tree as soon as possible.



If you cultivate the plant indoor I recommend you to shade the plant in hot days. You may use a tulle, a jalousie, another gadgets for shading. They are able to protect a myrtle from overheat. Also we should spray the plant regularly. 

In addition we may locate a Common myrtle in a garden or on a veranda. In Summer this plant grows outdoor perfectly well.

In Fall

A Common myrtle in Fall

A myrtle tree fells fine on a windowsill in Fall. In September and October care of this plant is the same as in Spring. However in November we have to locate Myrtus communis in a cool room. This green person is afraid of dry air. Our green pet may die near a radiator in a cool season.

! This houseplant bears pruning. We may prune a Common myrtle even in Autumn. Usually I clip my myrtle tree in Spring and in Fall. 

A lot of plant lovers like topiary gardens of myrtles on the windowsills. However I prefer "artistic confusion" in a pot. I prune my Common myrtle only for regulation of its size.

In Winter

Myrtus communis in Winter

This green friend needs cool wintering. We should locate a Common myrtle in a room with temperature 41-44,6 degrees Fahrenheit (5-7 degrees Celsius). In addition we have to reduce frequency of watering. 

If you decide to grow your tree in a warm room, place it far from radiators. You have to spay a myrtle frequently and water the plant daily in this case.

Let's sum up:

In a warm season a Common myrtle needs:

- light place (with shading in the hot days),
- room temperature (if the tree grows indoor),
- regular watering and spraying,
- fertilizing twice a month,
- plant pests protection,
- location outdoor (if it's possible).



In a cool season Myrtus communis requires:

- light place,
- cool temperature,
- diminished frequency of watering.
- draught protection.