Myoporum
Myoporum parvifolium
A fast-growing fragrant Australian groundcover that attracts butterflies but can be a skin irritant.
Hardy in USDA zones 9-11 and evergreen in mild low-desert winters, it tolerates light frost to the mid-20s°F but can burn in harder freezes, resprouting when heat returns.
AMWUA Notes
Skin irritant — wear gloves when handling.
Care Guide
Water every 7-10 days in summer to sustain its fast dense growth; it is thirstier than native groundcovers and thins out if allowed to dry hard, but drainage must still be good.
Shear the mat lightly to direct spread and remove any dieback; it fills bare spots quickly by rooting where stems touch soil.
Feed once in spring with a balanced fertilizer; generally low-input otherwise.
Prone to thrips and to branch dieback where drainage is poor; wear gloves as the foliage can irritate skin.
Small white flowers dot the mat in spring; evergreen in mild winters but can suffer foliage burn in hard frost, recovering with warmth.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soils; tolerates poor and rocky ground but suffers branch dieback in heavy or poorly drained soil.
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
Semi-hardwood cuttings; roots freely where prostrate stems contact soil (self-layering).
3-4 ft on center for fast dense cover
Stems root as they spread and knit slopes; keep sheared back from turf and walks, though the roots are not structurally invasive.
Placement Tips
- •Space 3-4 ft apart for very fast, dense mat coverage on slopes and large beds.
- •Good erosion control where its stems root along the ground and knit the surface.
- •Keep sheared away from turf and walks since it spreads quickly and roots as it goes.
- •Plant in full sun; provide reliable summer moisture in reflected-heat locations.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Myoporum. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Myoporum — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Myoporum need in Phoenix?
Myoporum is a moderate-water groundcover once established. Water every 7-10 days in summer to sustain its fast dense growth; it is thirstier than native groundcovers and thins out if allowed to dry hard, but drainage must still be good. Skin irritant — wear gloves when handling.
How big does Myoporum get?
Expect roughly 1 ft tall and 4 ft wide at maturity, with a fast growth rate. Allow about 3-4 ft on center for fast dense cover of spacing when planting. Stems root as they spread and knit slopes; keep sheared back from turf and walks, though the roots are not structurally invasive.
Can you plant Myoporum near a pool?
Yes. Myoporum is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Myoporum handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Myoporum is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11 and evergreen in mild low-desert winters, it tolerates light frost to the mid-20s°F but can burn in harder freezes, resprouting when heat returns. Small white flowers dot the mat in spring; evergreen in mild winters but can suffer foliage burn in hard frost, recovering with warmth.
Does Myoporum have thorns?
No. Myoporum is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Myoporum safe around pets?
Myoporum is not listed as pet-friendly, so keep it out of areas where pets graze or chew, and check with your vet if you are unsure.
When does Myoporum bloom in Arizona?
Myoporum blooms in spring, with white flowers. The flowers are fragrant. The bloom draws butterflies, bees.
How much maintenance does Myoporum need?
Myoporum is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Shear the mat lightly to direct spread and remove any dieback; it fills bare spots quickly by rooting where stems touch soil.
What kind of soil does Myoporum need?
Prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soils; tolerates poor and rocky ground but suffers branch dieback in heavy or poorly drained soil. Nutrient needs are low. Feed once in spring with a balanced fertilizer; generally low-input otherwise.
Is Myoporum native to Arizona?
No. Myoporum is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Australia, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.