Widespread myrtles are enticing, low-maintenance evergreen shrubs with stunning white flowers. Myrtles are additionally prized for his or her leaves, which can be utilized medicinally or in cooking. On this article, I’ll share my expertise of why your myrtle plant is perhaps dropping leaves and a few important tricks to mitigate the difficulty in your backyard.
Why Is My Myrtle Plant Dropping Leaves?
As evergreen shrubs, widespread myrtles (Myrtus communis) shouldn’t drop their leaves at any time of 12 months. So, in case your myrtle plant is dropping its leaves, it signifies an issue. Listed here are a few of the issues which will trigger myrtles to drop their leaves:
Overwatering
Widespread myrtles require barely moist soils however are considerably drought-tolerant. Nevertheless, myrtle shrubs hate being waterlogged, which is brought on by overwatering and poor soil drainage.
Waterlogged soil causes issues like root rot, which may end up in myrtle shrubs shedding leaves. Watering your myrtle as soon as each 2 to 4 weeks to stop overwatering. Myrtles want well-draining soils that also maintain some moisture. Combine in some grit, sand, or natural matter for dense, heavy soils to enhance soil drainage.
Underwatering
Underwatering may also trigger myrtle shrubs to lose their leaves. Myrtles want barely moist soil and endure if the soil dries out an excessive amount of. Water myrtle shrubs as soon as each 2 to 4 weeks to maintain the soil moist.
Myrtles affected by underwatering will wrestle to develop correctly, which can trigger them to drop their leaves. Water your myrtle extra incessantly throughout scorching, dry summers to cease it from drying out.
Temperature Stress
Myrtles come from the Mediterranean, Southern Europe, and components of Asia and Africa. As such, myrtle vegetation choose heat, humid situations and gentle winters. They develop greatest in USDA Zones 8 to 10 however can survive winter temperatures that drop to 10ºF (-12ºC).
Nevertheless, although myrtles are surprisingly cold-hardy, temperatures under freezing might trigger them to lose their leaves. In chilly areas, wrap myrtle trunks in horticultural fleece or develop them in pots and produce them indoors.
Extraordinarily scorching, dry situations additionally trigger myrtles to drop their leaves. Water myrtles extra incessantly in scorching, arid areas to stop leaf drop.
Too A lot Daylight
Myrtle shrubs require a number of hours of full solar through the day in gentle climates. However myrtles want partial shade in scorching, dry climates to guard them from the cruel direct afternoon solar. Daylight is extra intense within the afternoon than within the morning.
Myrtle shrubs can begin dropping their leaves if uncovered to an excessive amount of intense afternoon solar. This causes the leaves to burn and typically drop off. Present some shade through the afternoon and expose your myrtle to weaker morning daylight.
Not Sufficient Daylight
Myrtle shrubs can lose their leaves in the event that they don’t obtain sufficient daylight. Myrtle vegetation require full solar or partial shade and can’t tolerate full shade for lengthy intervals. In case your myrtle doesn’t get sufficient daylight, it’ll produce weak, stunted development and will fail to flower through the blooming season.
Plant myrtle shrubs within the south or west-facing points. These areas present loads of morning daylight whereas defending myrtles from the cruel afternoon solar. Keep away from north-facing areas, as these areas create an excessive amount of shade.
Ailments & Pests
Ailments and pests may also trigger myrtle vegetation to drop their leaves. Pests similar to aphids and scale bugs suck the sap from myrtle vegetation, inflicting weak or stunted development. Finally, this can lead to the myrtle shedding its leaves.
Fungal ailments and issues like root rot additionally trigger myrtle shrubs to lose their leaves. These ailments will be prevented by offering your myrtle with good rising situations. Deal with pests utilizing insecticidal cleaning soap or horticultural oils.
Myrtle Dropping Leaves FAQs
Do Myrtles Lose Their Leaves?
Myrtles are evergreen shrubs, which means they don’t normally lose their leaves. In case your myrtle is shedding leaves, it’s possible affected by a extreme downside.
Why Are My Myrtle Leaves Turning Yellow?
Myrtle leaves might flip yellow as a result of root rot, which is brought on by waterlogged soil. Nutrient deficiencies may also trigger myrtle leaves to show yellow.
How Usually Ought to I Water My Myrtle?
Water established myrtles as soon as each 2 to 4 weeks to maintain the soil moist and extra incessantly in scorching, dry summers to cease your myrtle drying out. Water newly planted myrtles as soon as every week for the primary two years to assist them get established.
Wrapping Up
Myrtles can drop their leaves for numerous causes, with the most typical causes being overwatering, underwatering, and temperature stress. Water myrtles each 2 to 4 weeks to maintain the soil moist. Develop myrtles in Zones 8 to 10 to supply the correct temperatures for optimum development.
Edd is a budding content material author and gardener residing in the UK. He has a bachelor’s diploma in Artistic and Skilled Writing and has written for a number of gardening publications on-line. He’s obsessed with nature and sustainability with a deal with gardening and wildlife.
