Wild Growth

Wild Growth Full Guide

Revised Edition Common
Mana Cost: {G}
Type: Enchantment — Aura
Wild Growth Text:
Enchant land Whenever enchanted land is tapped for mana, its controller adds an additional {G}.
Artist: Mark Poole
Collector Number: 230
Release Date: 1994-04-11
Art crop

Strategy Guide

Last updated 2025-06-30
TL;DR Summary

Wild Growth is a common enchantment aura that synergizes well with green's mana acceleration, particularly when combined with cards like Llanowar Elves and Elvish Mystic. Its ability to add an additional {G} whenever the enchanted land is tapped for mana increases its value in mid-game and late-game scenarios. In Commander formats, Wild Growth can be a great addition to any green-heavy deck looking to optimize its mana development.

Power level: 2/5

Main use cases:

  • Green mana acceleration
  • Land enchantment synergies
  • Mid-game and late-game scenarios
  • Commander formats

Popular formats: * Commander (in small doses, as it's relatively inexpensive) * Pauper (due to its common rarity)

Card Mechanics & Interactions

Wild Growth

Wild Growth is a common enchantment aura that affects lands. As an aura, it requires a land to enchant.

Rules and Keyword Abilities

  • Enchant Land: Wild Growth can only be cast on a land card.
  • Whenever enchanted land is tapped for mana, its controller adds an additional {G}: This ability triggers whenever the enchanted land generates mana. The controller of the enchanted land gets an additional green mana when that land generates one.

Functioning on the Stack and Battlefield

When Wild Growth is cast, it can only be targeted at a single land card. If the player controls multiple lands, they must choose which one to enchant with Wild Growth. Once attached, Wild Growth remains on the battlefield as long as its enchanted land remains in play.

If an opponent casts a spell or ability that would destroy the enchanted land, Wild Growth is destroyed along with it. However, if the enchanted land is sacrificed for mana, Wild Growth does not trigger since it specifically requires the land to be tapped for mana.

Edge Cases and Unusual Rules Interactions

  • Land tokens: If a land token (created by cards like Llanowar Elves or Folkring) is enchanted with Wild Growth, its controller will get an additional {G} whenever that token generates mana.
  • Mana abilities: Cards like Expedition Map or Jungle Shrine, which generate extra mana, do not trigger Wild Growth. The ability must be generated by the enchanted land itself to activate the aura's effect.
  • Life gain: If a player has a life-gaining ability (like Serra Ascendant), gaining life won't trigger Wild Growth.

Commander-Specific Quirks

In Commander decks, Wild Growth can help green-based commanders like Ezuri, Renowned Leader, who benefit from a consistent source of mana. Pairing Wild Growth with a land-based commander like Golgari Findbroker can create a potent synergy, as the enchanted land provides additional mana for the commander's ability.

Keep in mind that in Commander, players often run multiple lands and mana-generating cards, making it essential to carefully consider which land to enchant with Wild Growth.

Strategic Applications

Wild Growth is a staple in many green decks, providing a boost to mana development and enabling the player to play more lands or cast larger spells. This common enchantment has seen use in various Commander strategies, particularly those that rely on ramping up mana quickly.

In a classic example of an "accelerator" card, Wild Growth pairs well with Elvish Aberration or Fangren's Blade, allowing the player to accelerate their mana development and get to more expensive spells like Llanowar Elves or Tarmogoyf. When paired with Garruk Wildspeaker, Wild Growth enables the player to ramp up their mana even further, making it easier to cast larger creatures.

Wild Growth also sees play in some green-blue and green-white Commander decks that focus on ramping up mana quickly. In these decks, Wild Growth works alongside cards like Simian Spirit Guide or Golgari Findbroker, allowing the player to develop their mana more efficiently and make it easier to cast spells like Mwonvuli Acid-Moss or Eidolon of Ransom.

Advanced Techniques

Synergies with Green Stompy and Landfall Decks

Wild Growth pairs exceptionally well with green stompy decks, which often rely on ramping into large creatures. By enchanting a land with Wild Growth, you can create a self-sustaining cycle of adding extra mana when tapping that land for mana. This enables your larger creatures to enter the battlefield more quickly and effectively, making it easier to take advantage of their impressive power and toughness.

For example, combine Wild Growth with Llanowar Elves, Stomping Grounds, or Tarnabha Leonine to create a robust green stompy engine. When you tap Stomping Ground for mana, the additional mana from Wild Growth lets you play larger creatures on subsequent turns.

Combinations with Eternal Witness and Vines of Vastwood

Wild Growth also benefits from being paired with cards that generate large amounts of tokens or card advantage. Cards like Eternal Witness, Vines of Vastwood, or Fulginator Mage can create an explosive board presence when combined with Wild Growth's ability to boost the enchanted land.

For instance, enchanting a land with Wild Growth and then using Eternal Witness to return it to your hand creates a powerful loop. You can replay the returned card, adding even more mana and increasing the potential for large creatures or other game-changing plays.

Using Wild Growth as a Late-Game Finishing Tool

While Wild Growth is often viewed as a mid-game ramp spell, its benefits extend into the late game as well. In some situations, enchanting a land with Wild Growth can provide an extra boost of mana when you're already playing large creatures or preparing for a final, decisive attack.

This can be particularly effective in scenarios where your opponent is struggling to keep up with your land development or token generation. By adding one more green mana to the mix, Wild Growth enables you to play that critical Wrenn and Six or Colossal Strength, giving you an insurmountable advantage on the battlefield.

Combining with Other Auras

Wild Growth can also be combined with other auras, such as Ethersworn Canonist or Sage of Fools, to create a more complex and interactive play environment. These combinations allow for deeper strategies and require more careful planning from both players.

In particular, enchanting multiple lands with Wild Growth and other auras creates a challenging puzzle for your opponent to solve. They must carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks of each enchanted land, weighing the potential for large creatures against the risks of losing valuable cards or opportunities.

Common Mistakes

Wild Growth: Common Mistakes and Misplay Opportunities

In Commander, Wild Growth can be a valuable addition to any green deck. However, players often mismanage this card, leading to suboptimal results.

Timing Issues

  • Failing to tap the enchanted land for mana when it's most beneficial can be a costly mistake. For instance, if you have Golgari Findbroker in play and need an additional colorless mana source, tapping the Wild Growth-enchanted land would be more valuable than using it as a 1-G boost to your lands.
  • Not considering the opportunity cost of using Wild Growth can lead to missed potential. If you have Llanowar Elves and Elvish Mystic in play, tapping the enchanted land for an extra green mana can allow you to play more expensive spells.

Misunderstood Rules

  • Some players might assume that Wild Growth only adds one additional mana when tapped for colorless mana. However, its ability states "its controller adds an additional {G}", which means it provides a full mana bonus every time the enchanted land is tapped.
  • Another common misconception is that Wild Growth can be used to generate card advantage by adding extra green mana to play more spells. While this isn't entirely incorrect, it's essential to consider the opportunity cost of using Wild Growth, as discussed earlier.

Poor Synergies

  • Using Wild Growth with a deck that has limited access to green sources can be counterproductive. In such cases, playing Wild Growth might not provide sufficient value, and its presence can even lead to dead draws.
  • Pairing Wild Growth with cards like Sylvan Caryatid or Fertile Ground can create a cycle of tapping lands for extra mana, only to use that mana to play more lands. While this might seem beneficial at first glance, it can actually hinder the deck's overall efficiency.

In conclusion, Wild Growth is a card that requires careful consideration and strategic planning to maximize its potential. By avoiding common mistakes and misplays, players can unlock the full value of this enchantment in Commander decks.

Conclusion

Wild Growth is a common enchantment from the 3rd Edition set that amplifies the mana production of enchanted lands. This aura effect increases its controller's life total by providing additional green mana when tapped.

In casual Commander games, Wild Growth remains a popular choice due to its straightforward and reliable effect. It's an excellent addition to any green-based deck looking for a simple way to accelerate mana development without breaking the bank.

When paired with lands that provide additional green mana, such as Elvish Sanctuary or Overgrown Tomb, Wild Growth can boost its controller's ability to cast powerful green creatures and enchantments.

While Wild Growth has been reprinted in several sets since its original release, its price remains low due to its abundance and the fact that it's not as popular among casual players compared to more powerful or flashy cards.

Deckbuilding & Synergies

Building around Wild Growth

Wild Growth is a common enchantment aura from the 3rd Edition set that can add an additional green mana when an enchanted land is tapped. This card has applications in various green-based commanders and themes.

Commanders that work well with Wild Growth:

  • Golgari Decanters (from the "Golgari" archetype): This commander synergizes with lands producing multiple colors, including those that benefit from enchanting a land.
  • Ezuri, Renowned Leader: With Ezuri's ability to give creatures +1/+1 for every two green mana spent, having more mana available through Wild Growth can be highly beneficial.

Color Identities and Themes:

Green-based decks are the primary focus when building around Wild Growth. However, incorporating other colors can also enhance its effectiveness. Some examples include:

  • Green-White (Gw): Combining the mana fixing of green with white's removal spells and lifegain capabilities.
  • Green-Blue (Gb): Pairing green's ramp abilities with blue's card draw and counterspells.

Engine Cards that work well with Wild Growth:

  • Llanowar Elves: Providing an early-game ramp source, which can be enchanted by Wild Growth for increased mana production.
  • Folia (not a real card): While this example doesn't exist in Magic: The Gathering, it illustrates how enchanting lands like Folia could further enhance the value of Wild Growth.

Specific Synergy Cards:

Some cards that have synergy with Wild Growth include:

  • Elvish Visionary: Creating multiple green mana sources and enchanting them with Wild Growth can amplify its effects.
  • Gaea's Cradle: This artifact, which creates a 2/2 green creature token whenever an enchanted land is tapped for mana, can further increase the value of Wild Growth.

Combo Notes:

Building around Wild Growth often involves creating a high-mana curve and enchanting multiple lands with it. This allows for a snowball effect, where each additional mana produced by Wild Growth fuels more card draws, spells, or creatures.

Format Roles

Format Breakdown:

  • Commander: Wild Growth is a staple in many green commanders, particularly those that rely on ramping into larger creatures. Its ability to add an additional mana whenever the enchanted land is tapped for mana allows for smoother draws and earlier plays. It's especially effective when paired with cards like Elvish Aberration or Llanowar Elves, which can tap into the additional mana provided by Wild Growth.
  • Pauper: As a common card, Wild Growth sees play in Pauper decks that focus on ramping into larger creatures. Its ability to provide an extra green mana when tapped makes it a solid inclusion in any green-based Pauper deck.
  • Banned/Limited: Wild Growth is not banned or limited in any format.

Competitive Play:

Wild Growth is considered a moderate-level card, providing a reliable source of additional mana but not necessarily game-changing. Its effectiveness is highly dependent on the specific commander or deck archetype, and its impact can vary greatly depending on the other cards in play.

In competitive Commander games, Wild Growth often sees play as part of more aggressive ramp decks, which aim to rapidly develop their board presence and pressure opponents early. However, it's not typically a key driver of game-winning strategies, as more focused mana acceleration cards like Explosive Vegetation or Llanowar Elves tend to dominate competitive metas.

Casual Play:

Wild Growth remains a popular choice in casual Commander games due to its straightforward and reliable effect. It's an excellent addition to any green-based deck looking for a simple way to accelerate mana development without breaking the bank. Its ease of use and moderate impact make it a staple in many casual decks, where players can experiment with various combinations of cards.

Other Notable Interactions:

  • Wild Growth works well alongside other ramp spells like Rampant Growth or Giant Growth, creating a synergistic effect that accelerates mana development even further.
  • In combination with Elvish Aberration or [Llanowar Elves, Wild Growth can enable the tap-and-untap effects of these creatures, adding additional green mana and fueling aggressive strategies.

Overall, Wild Growth is a solid, albeit not spectacular, addition to any green-based deck. Its moderate impact and straightforward effect make it a reliable choice for casual Commander games, while its competitive viability depends on the specific metagame and other cards in play.

Key Scenarios

Key Scenarios & Matchups for Wild Growth

Wild Growth excels in scenarios where its controller can take full advantage of the additional green mana, such as when paired with cards like Llanowar Elves or Elvish Mystic. This allows players to accelerate their mana development and play more complex spells earlier in the game.

In multiplayer Commander games, Wild Growth becomes increasingly valuable as it not only benefits its controller but also provides a small advantage to other green-mana-based strategies. When used with cards like Bloom Titan or Golgari Findbroker, Wild Growth can create a snowball effect, where one player's mana acceleration fuels their own plays and starts to outpace their opponents.

However, in matchups against aggressive decks, such as those focused around Monastery Swiftspear or Krenko, Mob Boss, Wild Growth may struggle to keep up with the pace. These decks often aim to quickly establish board presence and overwhelm opponents before they can fully leverage Wild Growth's benefits.

In particular, when facing off against red-green aggressive strategies like Daxos of Meletis or Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca, players may need to balance their own mana acceleration with caution to avoid falling behind in card advantage.

History & Meta

Printings and Reprints

Wild Growth was printed in the 3rd Edition set, a reprint of a card from the original Alpha set. Since then, it has seen several reprints across various sets, including Revised Edition (1994), Fourth Edition (1995), Fifth Edition (1997), and more recently, the Commander Anthology Volume II set in 2018.

EDHREC Stats

According to EDHREC, a popular Magic: The Gathering deck-building website, Wild Growth has an EDHREC Rank of 187, indicating its moderate presence in Commander decks. It is often included as a secondary enchantment to provide additional green mana when tapped.

Tournament Presence

Wild Growth's tournament performance is relatively modest. Its average price is around $0.36 USD (or €0.40 EUR), which suggests it's more of a common sideboard option or inclusion in casual decks rather than a powerful competitive card.

Iconic Decks and Notable Appearances

While Wild Growth isn't typically a focal point of any iconic decks, its ability to provide additional green mana when tapped makes it a useful addition to many land-heavy Commander decks. It's often paired with cards like Llanowar Elves or Foliage Wither to create explosive early-game plays.

One notable example is the "Ramp Stompy" archetype, which focuses on aggressively ramping up mana and then playing oversized creatures. Wild Growth can be a key component in this strategy, enabling players to tap their lands for additional green mana and accelerate their game plan.

Flavor & Lore

Wild Growth, a humble enchantment from the classic set 3rd Edition, exudes a sense of natural wonder and abundance. This aura effect amplifies the mana production of enchanted lands, much like the verdant tendrils of a wild vine bursting forth with new life.

In the world of Dominaria, where ancient forests stretch towards the sky and primal magic courses through the earth, Wild Growth finds its place amidst the lush canopies and untamed landscapes. It's not uncommon to find druids and rangers attuning themselves to the land, channeling their power to amplify its natural energies. By enchanting a land with Wild Growth, one of these nature-mages could augment their own mana generation, potentially unlocking new spells or bolstering an existing spellcasting strategy.

Consider pairing Wild Growth with lands that provide additional green mana, such as Elvish Sanctuary or Overgrown Tomb. This combination would not only increase the player's life total but also boost their ability to cast powerful green creatures and enchantments.

Budget/Alternatives

Budget-Friendliness and Reprint Status

Wild Growth is a common enchantment from the 3rd Edition set, making it relatively affordable. The current prices for a standard copy are $0.36 USD or €0.40 EUR.

Currency Price
USD $0.36
EUR €0.40

While Wild Growth has been reprinted in several sets since its original release, its price remains low due to its abundance and the fact that it's not as popular among casual players compared to more powerful or flashy cards.

Budget-Friendly Options for Commander

For budget-conscious players seeking similar effects, consider the following options:

  • Kodama's Reach: A common enchantment from the Zendikar set (2009) with a similar effect. Its price is around $0.50 USD.
  • Llanowar Elves' built-in ability also provides additional green mana when tapped for mana.

These cards can provide similar value to Wild Growth, especially in Commander decks where budget-friendliness is essential.