Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Creeping Wintergreen

Gaultheria Procumbens

Design with this plant

Overview

Gaultheria procumbens, commonly called Creeping Wintergreen, is a low-growing, evergreen groundcover reaching 3 to 6 inches in height. It bears glossy, oval leaves and white, bell-shaped flowers that give way to edible, scarlet berries. Thriving in USDA Zones 3-8, it prefers partial to full shade and acidic, well-drained soil. This North American native plant emits a refreshing, minty scent when the foliage is crushed, adding multi-sensory appeal to gardens.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater Low, MediumZones 3–8Type Ground cover, ShrubClimate Temperate
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — These berries are not only visually appealing but are edible and often used to flavor candies and teas; creeping
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — ground cover / shrub for full or half or shadeCreeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — It bears glossy, oval leaves and white, bell-shaped flowers that give way to edible, scarlet berries, image 26Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — This plant is native to the forest floors of North America, thriving in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — bell-shaped white or pinkish flowers that bloom in the summer and develop into bright red berries, image 61Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — offering a combination of aesthetic appeal and practical benefits; ground cover / shrub with white, image 66Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — ground cover / shrub for full or half or shade; offering a combination of aesthetic appeal and practical benefits+85

Culture

Sun
Full, Half, Shade
Water
Low, Medium
USDA zones
3–8

Shape & size

Mature height
6–12 Inches
Mature width
2–3 Ft.

Classification

Type
Ground cover, Shrub
Family
Ericaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (92)

Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — These berries are not only visually appealing but are edible and often used to flavor candies and teas; creeping
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — ground cover / shrub for full or half or shade
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — It bears glossy, oval leaves and white, bell-shaped flowers that give way to edible, scarlet berries, image 26
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — This plant is native to the forest floors of North America, thriving in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — bell-shaped white or pinkish flowers that bloom in the summer and develop into bright red berries, image 61
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — offering a combination of aesthetic appeal and practical benefits; ground cover / shrub with white, image 66
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — ground cover / shrub for full or half or shade; offering a combination of aesthetic appeal and practical benefits
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — It bears glossy, oval leaves and white, bell-shaped flowers that give way to edible, scarlet berries, image 49
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — and partial to full shade conditions
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — These berries are not only visually appealing but are edible and often used to flavor candies and, image 62
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — white flowers in the garden; minty scent when the foliage is crushed
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — Thriving in USDA Zones 3-8, it prefers partial to full shade and acidic, well-drained soil; evergreen
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — adding multi-sensory appeal to gardens; ground cover / shrub for full or half or shade
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — and partial to full shade conditions, image 35
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — adding multi-sensory appeal to gardens; ground cover / shrub for full or half or shade, image 53
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — Its natural habitat guides its preference for acidic; this North American native plant emits a, image 57
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — emit a delightful minty fragrance when crushed and turn a striking reddish bronze in the fall; it bears glossy
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — suppressing weeds and requiring minimal maintenance; scientifically known as Gaultheria procumbens
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — Creeping Wintergreen provides excellent ground cover in shady spots; commonly called Creeping Wintergreen
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — offering a combination of aesthetic appeal and practical benefits
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — bell-shaped white or pinkish flowers that bloom in the summer and develop into bright red berries, image 38
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — emit a delightful minty fragrance when crushed and turn a striking reddish bronze in the fall; it, image 60
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — evergreen groundcover reaching 3 to 6 inches in height; its natural habitat guides its preference, image 48
Creeping Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) — This North American native plant emits a refreshing; is a versatile evergreen groundcover that adds year-round
Photographs by 10 contributors

Related plants

Aglo Rhododendron (Rhododendron 'Aglo') — Growing to a moderate size

Broadleaf Evergreen

Aglo Rhododendron

Rhododendron 'Aglo'

FullUSDA 4–7
Alaska Azalea (Azalea 'Alaska') — The Alaska Azalea (Rhododendron 'Alaska') is a hardy deciduous shrub

Shrub

Alaska Azalea

Azalea 'Alaska'

HalfUSDA 9–11
Albert-Elizabeth Rhododendron (Rhododendron 'Albert-Elizabeth') — Rhododendron 'Albert-Elizabeth', distinguished by its large magenta flowers, blooms in late

Shrub

Albert-Elizabeth Rhododendron

Rhododendron 'Albert-Elizabeth'

FullUSDA 6–10
Anah Kruschke Rhododendron (Rhododendron 'Anah Kruschke') — making it a substantial addition to garden borders

Shrub

Anah Kruschke Rhododendron

Rhododendron 'Anah Kruschke'

FullUSDA 6–10
Autumn Amethyst Azalea (Azalea Encore 'Autumn Amethyst®') — The Autumn Amethyst™ Encore® Azalea (Rhododendron 'Conlee') is a versatile evergreen

Shrub

Autumn Amethyst Azalea

Azalea Encore 'Autumn Amethyst®'

FullUSDA 6–10
Autumn Sunset Azalea (Azalea Encore 'Autumn Sunset®') — The Autumn Sunset Azalea (Azalea Encore 'Autumn Sunset®') is a striking, repeat-blooming shrub

Shrub

Autumn Sunset Azalea

Azalea Encore 'Autumn Sunset®'

FullUSDA 6–10