Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-draining soil. It is drought resistant, tolerant to moderate frost and will survive temperatures below 10 degrees F and useful in USDA Zones 8-10. The foliage has a pleasant odor when it is crushed and the fruit is edible, though not really that tasty. The fruit, flowers and leaves can all be used to flavor food and the wood used to flavor meat on the barbecue. Ancient civilizations also used the leaves for medicinal and culinary purposes.

Myrtus communis is native to southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, Macaronesia, and the Indian Subcontinent. The name for the genus is from the old Greek name Genus name 'myrtos' that was used to describe the plant. The specific epithet means "common". This plant and its compact variety Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina 'Compacta' won the coveted Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 1993. We grew this plant on and off since 1983. It was introduced in England during the 16th century where it is a symbol of love and it is still used in wedding bouquets for this reason. It was introduced into California by William Walker at his Golden Gate Nursery in San Francisco in 1858 and grew it off and on by vegetative propagation from selected plants since 1982. 

The information about Myrtus communis that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.

Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.