How to Plant Wax Myrtle to Repel Mosquitoes

Wax myrtle, which is also called the candleberry or Southern bayberry, is a tree that grows and is planted throughout the coastal areas of Florida. This is because the wax myrtle is able to tolerate salt-rich soils and will help block the salty spray from the water. The leaves of the wax myrtle are also used to repel mosquitoes, both by planting the tree and removing the leaves and rubbing them on the skin. Planting a wax myrtle in your yard involves providing it with the correct soil and other growing conditions.

Home pH soil tester
Shovel
Wood mulch
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a healthy sapling from a local nursery or home improvement store. Pick a sapling that is at least 2 inches in height and is free of any pests, broken leaves and brown spots.
- 2
  Locate an area in your yard that is composed of loose sand or dirt or that is slightly acidic. Test the acidity of the soil with a home pH soil tester, which is available at home improvement and gardening centers. Choose an area that will also offer the wax myrtle partial shade or full sun.
- 3
  Dig a hole that is approximately 2 to 3 inches deeper than the size of the root ball and approximately two times the width. Avoid planting the wax myrtle root ball too deeply to avoid root failure.
- 4
  Fill the hole with the soil originally removed to plant the wax myrtle.
- 5
  Cover the area over the newly planted root ball with a 1- to 2-inch layer of wood mulch. Continue to spread the mulch for approximately 10 inches around the area of the wax myrtle's trunk. The mulch will help protect the growing tree from having any nutrients stolen by weeds.
- 6
  Give the newly planted wax myrtle a healthy drink of water until the earth around it is well saturated.
- 7
  Continue to water the plant on a weekly basis until the wax myrtle is established and is beginning to grow.

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