Popular myrtle varieties and home care tips for myrtle trees

Myrtle is a beautiful evergreen tree that symbolizes calm and quiet, enjoyment and peace. It helps decorate both the home and the street, but it can die in an office or public space. It has been noted that this tree loves a family atmosphere, which is why it is considered a houseplant.

Description and history of origin

Myrtle is an evergreen plant with pleasantly scented flowers. It has medicinal properties and is used in perfumes. In the fall, this tree produces dark blue berries on the branches. Some species have white or yellow berries.

The plant's native land is the Mediterranean. The myrtle flower grows in Italy, Egypt, France, Greece, and Spain. Many legends and traditions are associated with this ancient plant. For example, Queen Victoria personally planted a myrtle bush and, at each wedding of her daughters and granddaughters, wove a sprig from the tree into the wedding wreath. This tradition continues to this day.

In photos, myrtle looks as beautiful and unusual as it does in real life. That's why it's often chosen when shopping for houseplants.

Benefits of myrtle

Our ancestors used myrtle for medicinal purposes, to combat illnesses. This unusual plant can still find uses today. Because the myrtle tree contains a large amount of essential oil, it is used to make preparations with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, wound-healing, and antitoxic properties. Myrtle infusions are recommended for coughs, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia.

The plant also has negative effects. For example, if the tree is placed in a bedroom, it can cause insomnia.

Popular types

This unusual tree has many species, but the following are of particular interest:

1. Common myrtle, or small-leaved myrtle, is an evergreen shrub with beautiful white or cream-colored flowers. It grows in oak forests and reaches a height of about 4 meters. The leaves are small and dark green.
2. Swamp myrtle. A similar shrub, but no more than a meter tall. The tree has a spreading crown with straight stems. White flowers are collected in clusters. A distinctive feature of this species is its ability to survive cold Russian winters. Under snow, the myrtle branches are dry, but if you cut a branch and plant it in water, it will return to green. It is important to note that the leaves and shoots of swamp myrtle are poisonous, so they should not be fed to animals.
3. Variegated myrtle. This species has variegated leaves. To achieve vibrant color, the tree requires plenty of light in its planting location. When conditions are right, it blooms, the flowers are pleasantly scented, and they purify the air.

Myrtle grows both indoors and outdoors, making it a popular decorative plant. It thrives in well-drained soil and requires frequent misting during its growth phase. The tree contains essential oils used to make incense and medicinal preparations.

Caring for a plant at home

Important aspects of caring for myrtle at home: fertilization, abundant watering, maintaining an optimal climate, and timely pruning.

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Temperature and lighting

The shrub requires plenty of light and warmth, so it should be located in a sunny spot. Most myrtle species are intolerant of cold, so the chosen permanent location should be as wind-free as possible.

However, dry and hot air causes the shrub to shed its leaves faster. A draft can even hinder growth. Therefore, choosing a location for the tree's future life should be done carefully, taking these factors into account.

Watering mode

During the first two years, when the shrub is actively growing, it needs to be watered regularly. The soil should dry no more than 2 cm between waterings. It's important to keep the soil moist, not waterlogged.

It's important to remember that city water contains chlorine, which is very harmful to plants. Therefore, it's best to let the water settle for 24 hours before watering.

The tree is fertilized every two weeks during periods of rapid growth and development, but only after transplanting to its permanent pot. Before this point, no additional feeding is necessary.

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Flowering conditions

If all conditions are met, the myrtle tree will begin to bloom. Each year, beautiful pink or white buds can be seen on the branches of a mature plant, which will soon blossom into beautiful five-petaled flowers.

This unusual plant blooms from late spring to midsummer. During flowering, the tree requires adequate light and moist soil.

However, even if all conditions are met, the plant may fail to bloom. Possible reasons:

• lack of fertilizers;
• watering with tap water that has not settled;
• insects or pests.

Crown formation

You should begin shaping a plant that's already strong and healthy, otherwise it could weaken it. The best time for shaping is spring. Fertilize the plants beforehand.

To ensure annual flowering, myrtle is pruned in the summer after budding has finished. First, choose a shape: a neat, branching bush or a simple flowering plant.

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How to shape myrtle

Tree pruning can achieve a decorative appearance and allow the plant to be shaped according to the grower's wishes. The most important thing is to pinch and trim the shoots correctly:

• formation should be carried out during the period of the main growth of the plant;
• If you trim the lower branches, you can get a standard shape;
• If you pinch the tops of the shoots, you will get a branchy bush;
• Myrtle bonsai is created when the plant reaches three years of age, for this it is necessary to constantly pinch the upper leaves.

No pruning is necessary in winter. If left unpruned, the plant will take on a pyramidal shape. If you trim the top, you'll get a squat, dense mound. And if you trim the sides, you'll get a tall crown.

Methods of reproduction

To propagate a myrtle tree from cuttings, use shoots with short stems. The cutting should take root within 6-8 weeks. For planting, you'll need a mixture of peat and river sand. Cuttings are taken in spring or summer.

Planting by cuttings:

1. The stems need to be cut to 15 centimeters each.
2. Only 1-2 pairs of leaves are left for planting, so the lower leaves must be cut off.
3. Fill the container with a mixture of peat and sand.
4. Water the soil mixture immediately.
5. Place the cuttings at the rim of the pot and compact the soil around them.
6. Cover the container with film.
7. Maintain a temperature of around +15°C with partial exposure to sunlight.
8. Check the soil and water if necessary.

As soon as the shrub finishes blooming, small seed pods appear. These can be stored until winter, but it's best to collect them before the first frost.

Propagation by seeds:

1. If the collected capsules are already opening, transfer the seeds to a dry place. If they don't open, you can place the branch in water, and they should open in a week.
2. You can plant seeds at any time, but spring is best.
3. Take any soil for indoor plants, water it, put in the seeds and cover with soil or moss.
4. Cover the container with plastic wrap and place in a bright place with a temperature of at least +24…+29°C.
5. Germination will take several weeks. Once the seedlings appear, the film should be removed.

Place the container with the sprouted seeds on a well-lit windowsill. After two leaves appear, transplant the seedlings into individual pots and keep them indoors until May. Move the plants outside only when the nighttime temperature does not drop below 20°C. After a few more weeks, they can be transplanted into their permanent location in the ground.

Pests and diseases

Aphids are a common pest of myrtles. These small insects come in a variety of colors. Their main food is plant sap. The danger lies in the fact that aphids not only damage plant tissue but also promote the growth of sooty mold.

There are two ways to get rid of aphids: douse the tree with a powerful stream of water (be sure to do this outdoors) or spray the leaves and branches with a soapy solution. Sometimes you need to repeat the process.

Japanese beetles, also known as Japanese cockchafers, are small, copper-brown beetles that feed on leaf tissue. Adults can be removed by hand, and imidacloprid sprayed on the soil can be effective against the larvae.

Care mistakes

It's difficult to make a fatal mistake when growing myrtle. Dry soil, pests, and insufficient air humidity can all lead to poor health and weaken the plant. However, if you follow simple rules, the tree won't suffer. Growing this unusual plant doesn't require much effort; the key is to care for it, maintain a comfortable climate, and protect it from pests and diseases.