Wax Myrtle
Morella cerifera (Myrica cerifera)
A fast, natural-looking evergreen screen for informal privacy — good for softer, less formal screening where space allows.
Growth stages at a glance
These visuals are planning examples. Actual plant size, fullness, and growth depend on nursery availability, variety, pruning, site conditions, weather, watering, and care.
3-gallon starter
Smallest common starting size — budget-friendly for longer runs.
Typically offers the longest timeline to a solid visual screen.
5-gallon standard
Our most common homeowner starting size for privacy hedges.
Often selected as the balance of cost and reasonable early structure.
15-gallon fast start
Larger starter for faster day-one presence along the line.
Can shorten the wait for structure, but still not instant privacy.
Mid-maturity screen
Planning example of a developing privacy row.
Gaps often close as plants fill in — timing depends on spacing and care.
Mature privacy hedge
Planning example of a full evergreen screen at mature spacing.
Represents long-term screening potential — not a day-one guarantee.
Installed pricing
- 3-gallon installed price
- $80
- 5-gallon installed price
- $120
- 15-gallon installed price
- $250
3g $80 · 5g $120 · 15g $250 installed · from $80
Installed pricing includes selected plant material and standard planting labor. Final pricing may be adjusted during team review based on access, availability, site conditions, and selected add-ons.
Plant facts
- Mature height
- 15–20 ft
- Mature width
- 10–15 ft
- Evergreen
- Yes
- Sun needs
- Full sun to part shade
- Water needs
- Moderate; tolerates some drought when established
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Maintenance
- Low to moderate
- Texas / DFW fit
- DFW suitable
- Privacy hedge spacing
- 6 ft (planning default). Planning default for privacy hedge screening.
- Mature spacing
- 10 ft (planning default)
- 3-gallon starting height
- 2–4 ft
- 5-gallon starting height
- 4–5 ft
- 15-gallon starting height
- 6–8 ft
- Growth timeline
- 5–7 years to strong privacy
Best for
- Natural informal screen
- Fast soft privacy
- Larger beds
Why we recommend it
Wax myrtle is often chosen for a softer, native look that can grow quickly in favorable conditions. It works well when customers want a less formal screen with a natural Texas feel.
Watch-outs
- Can be irregular in form
- Not as formal as holly or juniper rows
- May need maintenance to keep dense
Good fit if
You want a softer, native-feeling evergreen screen with a less formal look.
Maybe not ideal if
Strict formal HOA hedge requirements without regular maintenance.
Spacing notes
Planning default for privacy hedge screening.
Why we use it in Texas
Wax myrtle is often chosen for a softer, native look that can grow quickly in favorable conditions. It works well when customers want a less formal screen with a natural Texas feel.
Best uses
Acreage/perimeter
Commonly considered when this use fits your property layout.
Hide neighbor view
Commonly considered when this use fits your property layout.
Road screening
Commonly considered when this use fits your property layout.
Side-yard privacy
Commonly considered when this use fits your property layout.
Design notes
Better as a natural screen than a tightly sheared hedge. Can work in alternating patterns on informal lines.
- Hedge style
- Natural evergreen screen
- A/B alternating
- Often workable in mixed rows
- Recommended for
- Naturalistic privacy and native-forward designs.
- Not ideal for
- Strict formal HOA hedge requirements without regular maintenance.
Visual planning gallery
Reference views for planning — individual plant, hedge line, and growth stages for Texas privacy screening.
Use this plant in my quote
Start a privacy fence quote and select Wax Myrtle (or compare others) in the map planner. Plant availability, size, and final suitability are confirmed during review.
Growth timelines are estimates and depend on plant variety, spacing, site conditions, weather, watering, and care. Your final quote will be reviewed by our team before approval.