Chilean myrtle (arrayán) Luma apiculata
Chilean myrtle (arrayán) (Luma apiculata) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Myrtaceae family, native to Temperate forests of Chile and Argentina. It grows 5–15 m (16–49 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Chilean myrtle (arrayán) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Chilean myrtle (arrayán) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Mature height | 5–15 m (16–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: sweet black berries |
| Native to | Temperate forests of Chile and Argentina |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇱 Chile, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Chilean myrtle (arrayán) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Chilean myrtle (arrayán)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Guava: Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) infects guava, feijoa, Surinam cherry and many other Myrtaceae; it spreads by airborne spores between them. Evidence B
Questions about Chilean myrtle (arrayán)
- How far apart should I plant Chilean myrtle (arrayán)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Chilean myrtle (arrayán) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Chilean myrtle (arrayán) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Chilean myrtle (arrayán)?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Chilean myrtle (arrayán) flower?
- From about July for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Chilean myrtle (arrayán) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Chilean myrtle (arrayán)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Chilean myrtle (arrayán). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Peeling cinnamon-orange and cream bark (as at Bosque de Arrayanes); white flowers in late summer. Self-seeds in mild, wet Irish and Cornish gardens.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lemon myrtle Backhousia citriodora
- Guava Psidium guajava
- Feijoa Acca sellowiana
- Surinam cherry (pitanga) Eugenia uniflora
- Cider gum (eucalyptus) Eucalyptus gunnii
- Lilly pilly Syzygium smithii
- Crimson bottlebrush Melaleuca citrina
- Mānuka (tea tree) Leptospermum scoparium