Myrtus communis (Common Myrtle)

Herman Kraut
Dec 14, 2025
4 min read

Common Name: Common Myrtle, True Myrtle

Scientific Name: Myrtus communis

Plant Family: Myrtaceae

Lifecycle: Perennial evergreen shrub

Myrtus communis is a classic Mediterranean evergreen valued for its aromatic leaves, delicate white flowers, and exceptional drought tolerance once established. Often underestimated in its youth, growing Myrtus communis in Zone 8a is less about toughness and more about timing, shelter, and respecting summer extremes.

For in-depth guides and curated tools, be sure to check out our Recommended Books & Resources below.

Plant Profile

Characteristic	Information
Climate Suitability	USDA Zones 8–11; Köppen Csa (Mediterranean)
Sun / Shade Needs	Full sun to light shade; benefits from partial shade when young
Watering Needs	Low once established; moderate during establishment
Soil Preferences	Well-drained sandy or loamy soil; tolerates poor soils
Spacing & Height	1–2 m spacing; 2–4 m mature height
Propagation Method(s)	Semi-hardwood cuttings, seed
Planting Timeline	Early spring or autumn in mild climates
Companion Plants	Olive, rosemary, lavender, chicken-run guilds
Edible / Medicinal / Ecological Uses	Culinary leaves, medicinal extracts, pollinator support
Pest / Disease Considerations	Generally pest-resistant; root stress in waterlogged soil
Pruning / Harvest Notes	Light pruning after flowering; harvest leaves year-round

Quick Plant Reference

Care Level: Moderate
Optimal Sunlight: Full sun once established
Water Needs: Low; drought-tolerant after Year 2
Mature Size: 2–4 m (6–13 ft) tall; 1.5–3 m spread
Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy or loamy
Humidity: Low to medium
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Beneficial Pollinators: Bees, hoverflies
Health Benefits: Antimicrobial, antioxidant, aromatic compounds
Chilling Hours: Not required
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile

Our Myrtus communis Application @ Tough Kraut

Our Myrtle story is a quiet lesson in humility. A neighbor and friend, deep into drought-tolerant planting experiments, gifted us four young Myrtus communis plants after we hosted them temporarily in our greenhouse. Between both our homesteads, loss had already become familiar territory. Summer heat did the rest.

Of the four plants, only one survived. One was planted out early near the chicken enclosure. The remaining three stayed in pots, but the sun and heat proved too much. The final survivor now lives beneath the mimosa canopy, still in its original pot, standing in a simple DIY “pond” built from wooden planks and lined with plastic foil. This shallow water buffer has made all the difference. The plan is clear: plant it out in early spring, once roots and weather are finally on the same team.

Step-by-Step Growing Guide

1. Choose the Right Site

Pick a location with full sun long-term, but partial shade during the first one to two summers. Myrtle is drought-tolerant, not sunproof.

2. Prepare the Soil

Ensure excellent drainage. Amend heavy soils with sand or gravel. Myrtle tolerates poor soils but resents soggy roots.

3. Plant the Tree/Plant

Plant at soil level, never deeper. Spring planting gives young roots time to establish before summer stress hits.

4. Water Consistently

Water regularly during the first year. Our experience shows that young myrtles fail fast when allowed to dry out completely.

5. Ensure Proper Pollination

Self-fertile, but flowering improves with nearby insect-friendly plants. Bees love myrtle blossoms.

6. Prune Annually

Light pruning after flowering maintains shape. Avoid hard pruning during heatwaves.

7. Manage Pests and Diseases

Rarely troubled. Most issues trace back to root stress rather than pests.

8. Harvest and Store

Leaves can be harvested year-round for culinary or medicinal use. Berries follow flowering in warm climates.

9. Note

If your Myrtle struggles, troubleshoot water buffering and microclimate before blaming drought tolerance claims.

Kraut Crew Insight

Myrtle taught us that “drought-tolerant” is not a personality trait you’re born with. It’s something you grow into. Shelter first, toughness later.

Photos

Herman’s Tough Kraut Field Notes: Solving Common Myrtle Cultivation Challenges

Troubleshooting Myrtus communis cultivation often starts with unlearning assumptions. Many FAQs around myrtle failure stem from expecting adult-level toughness from juvenile plants. Below are field-tested answers rooted in real losses, not catalog promises.

Q: Why did my young Myrtle die despite being “drought-tolerant”?

A: Drought tolerance comes with age. Young plants need consistent moisture and protection during their first summers.

Q: Is full sun always best?

A: Eventually, yes. Early on, partial shade or canopy cover can mean survival versus failure.

Q: Can Myrtle grow in pots long-term?

A: Temporarily, yes. But pots overheat quickly. Our water-buffer “pond” setup significantly reduced summer stress.

Q: When is the best time to plant out?

A: Early spring. Avoid planting just before or during peak summer heat.

Q: Does Myrtle tolerate poor soil?

A: Yes, as long as drainage is excellent. Waterlogged roots are the real killer.

Recommended Books & Resources

Books

Mediterranean Gardening: A Waterwise Approach by Heidi Gildemeister
A practical, Mediterranean-climate playbook for building a low-water plant palette and keeping “drought-tolerant” plants alive during their not-so-tough youth.
The Dry Gardening Handbook: Plants and Practices for a Changing Climate by Olivier Filippi
The “less water, more garden” manual that helps you design for heat, wind, and real-world summer stress (aka the exact problem your young myrtles faced).
The Mediterranean Gardener by Hugo Latymer
A plant-choosing guide for hot, dry summers and mild winters, with the kind of species-level clarity that saves money and heartbreak.
Planting Design for Dry Gardens by Olivier Filippi
Great for turning drought-resilient shrubs like myrtle into a cohesive, beautiful system (groundcovers, gravel alternatives, spacing, and “why this works” logic).

Resources

70% Shade Cloth with Grommets (UV-resistant)
An instant microclimate upgrade that takes the edge off brutal summer sun while still letting airflow through (young myrtles will thank you).
Tough Kraut Resources
Our curated list of tools, books, and low-tech solutions we actually use to keep plants alive through Mediterranean extremes.

Entry last updated: 2025-12-14

This post is part of the Tough Kraut Plant Library, documenting what really grows on our off-grid homestead in Central Portugal.