American Wintergreen
American Wintergreen
SKU:IND-HOS-WGR-NA-6in
American Wintergreen: Ideal for the Holidays & Beyond
Low-growing and full of charm, the American Wintergreen brings year-round interest in a pint-sized package. Topping out at just 3–6 inches tall, this native groundcover spreads slowly to form a dense, evergreen mat—perfect for tucking into shady borders, woodland gardens, or containers.
- Holiday ready: Red berries and burgundy-tinged leaves add festive color in fall and winter
- Compact & tidy: Grows just 3–6 inches tall—great for small spaces and underplanting
- Evergreen appeal: Keeps its foliage year-round for four-season interest
- Container-friendly: Ideal for pots, window boxes, or indoors in bright, cool spots
- Low maintenance: Slow-spreading and easy to care for once established
It’s an easy pick for holiday planters or adding a touch of winter woods magic near your front door.
Product Details
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Product Category
Evergreen Shrubs
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Product Subcategory:
Wintergreen
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Botanical Name:
Gaultheria procumbens
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Does Not Ship To:
AZ, OR
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Mature Height:
3-6 in.
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Mature Width:
12 in.
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Growing Zone:
3-9 outdoors
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Indoor Growing:
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Sunlight:
Part Sun
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Growth Rate:
Slow
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Harvest Time:
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Bloom Time:
Planting Directions
<h2>How to Plant and Care for American Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)</h2> <p>American Wintergreen is a low-growing, evergreen groundcover with edible red berries and fragrant leaves. It thrives in cool, acidic woodland conditions.</p> <h2>Planting Instructions</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Location:</strong> Choose partial to full shade. Needs acidic, well-drained, moist soil (pH 4.5–6.0).</li> <li><strong>Spacing:</strong> Space plants 12–18 inches apart. They spread slowly.</li> <li><strong>Planting Hole:</strong> Dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball.</li> <li><strong>Soil Prep:</strong> Mix peat moss or composted pine bark into native soil to improve acidity and drainage.</li> <li><strong>Planting:</strong> Place the plant in the hole with the crown at soil level. Backfill gently and press down to eliminate air pockets.</li> <li><strong>Water:</strong> Water deeply after planting until the soil is fully moist but not soggy.</li> <li><strong>Mulch:</strong> Apply 2–3 inches of pine needles or shredded bark to retain moisture and maintain acidity.</li> </ul> <h2>Ongoing Care</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Watering:</strong> Keep soil evenly moist (not wet) during the first growing season. Water 1–2 times per week depending on weather. Reduce watering once established.</li> <li><strong>Fertilizer:</strong> In spring, apply an acid-loving plant fertilizer (like for azaleas) at half strength.</li> <li><strong>Pruning:</strong> Minimal. Trim runners if needed to control spread.</li> <li><strong>Pollination:</strong> Self-fertile, but more plants increase berry yield. Flowers attract bees.</li> <li><strong>Harvesting:</strong> Pick berries in late fall. Leaves can be harvested year-round for tea.</li> </ul> <h2>Container Growing (Optional)</h2> <ul> <li>Use a container with drainage holes.</li> <li>Fill with acidic potting mix (e.g., for camellias or azaleas).</li> <li>Keep in partial shade and water consistently.</li> </ul>
FAQs
<h2>American Wintergreen FAQs</h2> <ul> <li> <strong>1. Where does American Wintergreen grow best?</strong><br> It thrives in partial to full shade with moist, well-drained, acidic soil—think woodland edges, shady borders, or north-facing garden spots. It’s a native groundcover that prefers cooler conditions and doesn’t love hot, dry sites. </li> <li> <strong>2. Can I grow American Wintergreen indoors?</strong><br> Absolutely! American Wintergreen adapts well to containers and can grow indoors as long as it has a cool, bright spot—think near a north or east-facing window. Just keep it out of direct afternoon sun and make sure the soil stays lightly moist. </li> <li> <strong>3. Does American Wintergreen need pollinators to produce berries?</strong><br> Yes, it benefits from cross-pollination by insects like bees to produce those signature red berries. Planting more than one can increase berry production, especially outdoors. Indoors, pollination may be limited unless manually assisted. </li> <li> <strong>4. How do I care for it through the seasons?</strong><br> This plant is evergreen and stays attractive year-round with minimal fuss. In fall and winter, its leaves deepen to a burgundy tone, and the red berries stick around into the colder months. Just avoid soggy soil, and it’ll stay happy across the seasons. </li> <li> <strong>5. Is American Wintergreen invasive or fast-spreading?</strong><br> Not at all—it spreads slowly and stays where you put it. That makes it perfect for edging, underplanting, or filling in shady container gardens without taking over. It's more of a polite guest than a garden party crasher. </li> </ul>