Does it need full sun?

Yes, it thrives in bright, direct sunlight.

How often should I water it?

Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Plant guide

Myrrh.

Commiphora myrrha

Pronounced kuh-MIF-uh-ruh MUR-uh

Also known as African myrrh, Common Myrrh, Somali myrrh, herabol myrrh, myrrh

Myrrh is a fascinating desert shrub known for the aromatic resin it produces. It thrives in hot, arid environments and has a long history of use in incense and medicine. You will find it is quite a unique addition to a collection if you can provide the right conditions.

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Succulent shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 9 to 15 feet
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

This plant needs intense light and very well draining soil to mimic its native desert home. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal that the soil is staying too wet for too long. Keep it warm and dry, especially during the winter months.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot.
Feeding: Use a balanced, diluted fertilizer only during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back dead or crossing branches once a year to maintain its shape.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its container, as it prefers to be slightly rootbound.
Soil: Sandy, rocky, well draining
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: 10 to 40°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%

Safety

People: The plant contains compounds that may cause irritation if ingested in large quantities.
Children: Keep children away from the sharp, thorny branches to prevent injury.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies associated with this species.
Edibility: The resin is used in traditional medicine, but ingestion should be avoided without professional guidance due to potential toxicity.

How to identify it

Small, trifoliate leaves
Thorny, gnarled branches
Peeling, papery bark
Produces fragrant resinous sap

Height: 2 to 5m
Spread: 1.5 to 4m
Leaves: green, gray-green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, red, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: brown, Summer

Problems to watch for

Root RotCommon
Scale InsectsCommon
MealybugsUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: Spring, Summer

Group this plant with other drought-tolerant succulents to ensure consistent watering schedules.

Grows well with

Aloe · They share similar requirements for well-draining soil and minimal water.
Desert Rose · Both plants thrive in hot, arid conditions with excellent drainage.

Similar species

Frankincense · It is a related tree that also produces a valuable aromatic resin.

Science

Family: Burseraceae
Genus: Commiphora
Order: Sapindales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered, but overharvesting of wild populations for resin is a concern.

This shrub survives in harsh, dry climates by entering dormancy during the hottest, driest months to conserve moisture.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: incense, perfumery, traditional medicine, ornamental specimen

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 3/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: Yes, it thrives in bright, direct sunlight.
How often should I water it?: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Where the name comes from

The name Commiphora is derived from the Greek words kommi, meaning gum, and phoros, meaning bearing. Myrrha comes from the Semitic word mur, meaning bitter, referring to the taste of the resin.

Good to know

Myrrh has been used for thousands of years in incense and embalming.
The plant is highly adapted to arid, rocky environments.
It belongs to the Burseraceae family, which includes frankincense.
The name Commiphora comes from Greek words meaning gum-bearing.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.