Deno’s GardenMy Garden

Myrtus communis

Myrtle

Family MyrtaceaeGenus Myrtus

White flowers whose long stamens stand out in a dense brush, each tipped with a pale yellow anther, over dark glossy leaves.
FlowerBurkhard MückeCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Shrub, TreeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
shrub or treePlants of the World Online
Height
8-12 ft2.4-3.7 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
8-12 ft2.4-3.7 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azores, Baleares, Canary Is. and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
8-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around April 4, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on April 3, 2024.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 1095 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 3 years from start to sowing. Then 2 days to germinate.

100% germination in 2 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Myrtus p. 60Public domain
Show the original text
Myrtus (Myrtaceae). M. communis seéds DS about 8 m germ. 70D(100% on 2nd d) and 40(90% in 8th w). Light, GA-3, or DS for 3 y had no effect on the germination at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Myrtus p. 60. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around February 9, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on February 9, 2024.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 1095 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

about 3 years from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 56 days.

90% germination in 56 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Myrtus p. 60Public domain
Show the original text
Myrtus (Myrtaceae). M. communis seéds DS about 8 m germ. 70D(100% on 2nd d) and 40(90% in 8th w). Light, GA-3, or DS for 3 y had no effect on the germination at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Myrtus p. 60. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

Add to My Garden

View species page