Gaultheria myrsinoides
Gaultheria myrsinoides
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Pl. C5B1 — Gaultheria myrsinoides
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IOverview
Overview
Gaultheria myrsinoides, commonly known as wintergreen, is a small evergreen shrub native to Central and South America. It thrives in moist, light to partial shade environments with well-draining soil. Native to regions including Argentina Northwest, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela, this plant is valued for its edible fruit. The shrub grows up to 0.2 meters in height and prefers full sun to partial shade with a light or medium soil type. Its hardiness ranges from USDA zones 8-11, making it suitable for warmer climates.
Quick answers
What is Gaultheria myrsinoides?
Gaultheria myrsinoides, commonly known as wintergreen, is a small evergreen shrub native to Central and South America. It thrives in moist, light to partial shade environments with well-draining soil.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Gaultheria myrsinoides thrives in partial sun to full sun and prefers moist, light (sandy) or medium soil. It is hardy in zones 8-11 and grows to a height of about 0.2 meters. The fruit can be consumed. Skip the specific propagation method as it wasn't provided.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
8-11
Mature size
0.2 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Gaultheria myrsinoides for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Gaultheria myrsinoides in a sunny spot and follow these simple steps for success.
- 1
What you'll need
A young plant or seeds, well-draining soil, and a container if starting indoors.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring when the weather starts warming up.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use light, sandy or medium soil. Ensure containers have good drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants directly into the garden or start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before planting outdoors.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Avoid direct sunlight for a week.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide partial sun and regular watering, especially during dry spells. Prune lightly in late winter.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune to maintain shape and remove dead branches as needed. Harvest fruit when ripe.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting regular pruning.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Fruit
Edible uses: The fruit of Gaultheria myrsinoides is edible and can be eaten raw or used in various preparations. It is often enjoyed fresh but may also be dried for later use. SKIP
Other uses:Ground cover
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
17 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
17 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 17 native
Americas9 regions
native (9)BoliviaColombiaCosta RicaEcuadorGuatemalaHondurasNicaraguaPeruVenezuela
Broader regions
native:Argentina Northwest, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Panamá
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · c5b1c949-4348-439e-8669-6e97df4f1d15
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