Myrtle Flowers
Occasions & recipients - Find flowers by occasion
Myrtle flowers carry a gentle, timeless charm associated with love, fidelity and blessing, making them ideal for romantic partners, close family and meaningful life events.
Faithful love and marriage
Myrtle has a long history in wedding garlands and bridal bouquets, symbolising lasting love, loyalty and a hopeful new beginning together.
Expression strength Quite direct and romantic
Etiquette safety Best for romantic partners and close family involved in the celebration.
Best setting Perfect for bridal bouquets, engagement parties and intimate anniversary dinners.
Colour hint Pair fresh myrtle green with white or soft blush blooms for a classic, romantic wedding look.
Avoid Too romantic for very formal corporate gifts or distant acquaintances.
Blessing and good wishes
Myrtle sprigs softly express wishes for peace, protection and prosperity, making them a graceful way to bless a new chapter in life.
Expression strength Gentle and warm
Etiquette safety Safe for most semi-formal and family occasions when you want to offer respectful good wishes.
Best setting Lovely in doorway arrangements, dining tables or entry consoles to welcome good fortune.
Colour hint Combine deep green myrtle with soft creams, light yellows or pastel tones for an uplifting, blessing-like feel.
Avoid Not ideal as the sole element for very sombre memorials where more traditional mourning flowers are expected.
Remembrance with hope
In some traditions, myrtle can suggest loving remembrance joined with hope and renewal, offering gentle comfort rather than heavy sorrow.
Expression strength Subtle and reflective
Etiquette safety Suitable for personal sympathy gestures where a lighter, comforting tone is appropriate.
Best setting Best in small, calming arrangements for living rooms, bedside tables or memorial corners at home.
Colour hint Pair with soft whites and gentle greens for a quiet, hopeful mood.
Avoid May feel too light for very formal state funerals or culturally strict mourning rites.
Card Message Ideas
Presentation Etiquette
Ideal Delivery Time
At a glance
Quick reference for key details choosing flowers for different occasions and recipients. Use this section as a practical checklist: where they grow and what to keep in mind regarding toxicity and sensitivity.
Toxicity
Myrtle is generally considered of low toxicity in ornamental use, though large quantities of leaves or essential oil can cause discomfort if ingested.
| Risk area | Level | Practical advice |
|---|---|---|
| Children | Low to mild if ingested | Discourage chewing leaves or berries and keep essential oil products out of reach; seek medical advice if larger amounts are swallowed. |
| Pets | Mild risk if ingested | Prevent cats and dogs from nibbling foliage or berries, and contact a vet if vomiting, drooling or lethargy appears after chewing. |
| Skin contact | Generally low | Most people tolerate casual handling well; wear gloves if you have sensitive skin or when pruning heavily. |
If significant ingestion occurs or any worrying symptoms develop, contact a doctor, poison centre or veterinarian promptly for professional advice.
Allergenicity
Myrtle flowers are lightly fragrant and typically produce modest amounts of pollen, so they are usually well tolerated by most people in indoor and outdoor settings.
| Factor | Level | Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Pollen | Low to moderate outdoors | Those with strong pollen allergies may prefer to keep flowering myrtle outside or use cut sprigs with fewer open blooms indoors. |
| Fragrance | Fresh, herbal and moderately scented | Place arrangements a little away from beds or workstations if you are sensitive to herbal or resinous scents. |
| Best placement | Flexible, slightly better in ventilated areas | Use in bright, airy rooms, hallways or patios so any scent disperses gently and does not build up in very small spaces. |
Color Taboos
Colour meanings for myrtle arrangements can vary by region and tradition; the table below highlights some common associations and situations where certain palettes may feel sensitive.
| Color/Combination | Region/Culture | Common Association | Occasions to Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure white | Many European and East Asian contexts | Often connected with funerals, mourning and spiritual purity. | Joyful birthdays, lively parties and romantic gestures where a celebratory mood is intended. |
| Very dark red with dense greenery | Some Western and Mediterranean traditions | Can feel heavy, solemn or overly passionate depending on the design. | Formal corporate gifts and lighthearted occasions where an intense romantic or dramatic tone is not desired. |
| Black-accented designs | Many cultures globally | Strong link with grief, formality and sometimes bad luck. | Weddings, new baby gifts and upbeat housewarmings that call for a hopeful atmosphere. |
| Neon mixed colours with myrtle | General Western business gifting | Seen as playful, casual and sometimes less refined. | Very formal events, high-level corporate ceremonies or traditional religious celebrations. |
| All-green, very sparse palette | Some European and Middle Eastern contexts | May read as austere or symbolic of restraint rather than celebration. | Milestone birthdays or anniversaries where a fuller, more colourful expression is expected. |
Growing & tools
Growing tips
Myrtle is a relatively easy evergreen shrub for home gardens and containers if given good light, drainage and moderate watering.
| Aspect | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Light | Grow in full sun to bright light, with at least 4–6 hours of direct sun daily for compact growth and abundant flowers. |
| Water | Water regularly during the growing season, allowing the top of the soil to dry slightly between waterings; avoid prolonged waterlogging. |
| Soil | Plant in well‑drained, moderately fertile soil or a gritty potting mix, preferably slightly alkaline to neutral. |
| Temperature | Prefers mild climates; protect from hard frosts below about −5 °C by mulching or moving pots to a sheltered place. |
| Care level | Care is moderate: occasional pruning keeps it neat and promotes bushy growth, and container plants need repotting every few years. |
| Feeding | Feed lightly in spring with a balanced, slow‑release fertiliser to support fresh foliage and flowering. |
For best results, prioritise sharp drainage and strong light, and prune lightly after flowering to keep your myrtle dense and floriferous.
Recommended tools
- Hand pruners - trims myrtle shoots and spent flowers cleanly, encouraging dense, bushy growth and neat hedging or topiary shapes.
- Bypass secateurs - makes precise cuts on thicker myrtle stems, reducing tearing and helping shrubs heal quickly.
- Watering can with fine rose - delivers even watering to containers and young plants without washing away soil around the roots.
- Well-draining pot or container - provides good drainage for potted myrtle, preventing root rot in wetter climates or overwatered plants.
- Garden gloves - protect hands from resinous sap and rough stems during pruning, shaping and repotting.
- Hand fork or small cultivator - loosens surface soil around the shrub, improving aeration and water penetration near the roots.
- Slow-release fertiliser spikes - offer steady nutrition to container-grown myrtle, supporting lush foliage and consistent flowering.
- Clean vase or jar - keeps cut myrtle sprigs fresh in arrangements, extending vase life when stems are recut and water is changed regularly.