Wintergreen Plant Guide: How to Grow Wintergreen Plants

The wintergreen plant is an evergreen ground cover plant in the Ericaceae family that grows no more than six inches off the ground. Wintergreen is known for having white flowers during bloom time, green leaves all year long, and bright red berries. These berries are also known as deerberries. Wintergreen has been used in teas for hundreds of years, and it also serves as a flavoring in chewing gum, root beer, and toothpaste.

There are two species of wintergreen plants in the Ericaceae family. The first, Gaultheria fragrantissima, is native to South Asian areas like Nepal. The second species, called Gaultheria procumbens, is a native plant found in Eastern North America as far south as Georgia and as far north as the Canadian province of Newfoundland. The North American species is better known by its common names, which include eastern teaberry, checkerberry, and creeping wintergreen.

Growing wintergreen plants is relatively simple.

1. 1. Temperate zones: Wintergreen plants do best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7. Plant wintergreen in a pot inside if you live in an extremely cold, hot, or arid region.
2. 2. Acidic soil: Much like rhododendrons, wintergreen plants thrive in acidic soil, or soil with a pH level between 4.0 and 6.0. The simplest and most reliable way to test your soil pH is using a soil test kit, which you can usually buy at any local garden center or online. To test your soil pH using a testing kit, simply follow the instructions (generally involving dipping pH test strips or litmus paper into watered-down soil samples) and compare your test results to the chart or pH meter from the kit.
3. 3. Ample shade: Wintergreen plants tolerate shady conditions well, which is partly what makes them great ground cover. To see wintergreen plants bloom in the summer, plant them in a spot with a mix of full shade and bright, indirect sunlight.
4. 4. Plenty of water: Aim to keep wintergreen plants regularly watered and moist. While there may be enough rainfall to keep them watered during the winter, you’ll likely need to water them once a week or more during the summer months.
5. 5. Pest control: While the aromatic oil of wintergreen plants deters most pests, aphids may create a problem from time to time. Simply check under the leaves for the small, pale green bugs and spray them off with a hose if you find any.

Wintergreen oil comes from the plant’s leaves and has a minty flavor and aroma. The active ingredient in wintergreen essential oil is methyl salicylate, an organic compound typically used in combination with menthol for topical pain relief. Birch is the only other essential oil that naturally carries the active ingredient methyl salicylate. Wintergreen oil is most commonly obtained through a distillation process using steam.

While wintergreen leaves and berries are safe to consume, undiluted wintergreen essential oil can be toxic. Keep these safety tips in mind when interacting with wintergreen.

1. 1. Avoid swallowing wintergreen dental products. Wintergreen oil is sometimes found in toothpaste and mouthwash to help fight plaque buildup and kill bacteria that cause bad breath. To prevent an upset stomach, avoid swallowing toothpaste or mouthwash that contains wintergreen oil. If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, avoid using products that contain wintergreen oil.
2. 2. Dilute wintergreen oil for aromatherapy purposes. Pure essential oils can cause skin irritation. Always dilute pure essential oils—like wintergreen, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, or eucalyptus oil—with a carrier oil like olive or jojoba oil to create a safe essential oil blend for topical applications. Be sure to consult dilution guidelines or your doctor before adding a few drops of wintergreen oil to your diffuser.
3. 3. Store wintergreen oil securely. Keep wintergreen oil in a glass bottle in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children.

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