Winter Heath.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Evergreen shrub

Luz

Full sun to partial shade

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 7 a 14 días

Tamaño adulto

6 to 12 inches tall

Ritmo de crecimiento

Medio

Rusticidad

USDA 5 a 7

Floración

Late winter to mid spring

Cuidados

Plant this heath in acidic soil and make sure it has good drainage to keep the roots happy. Watch for browning foliage which often signals the soil is too dry or not acidic enough. A light trim after flowering helps keep the plant compact and tidy.

Riego

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.

Abonado

Apply a slow release acid loving fertilizer once in early spring.

Poda

Prune lightly immediately after the flowers fade to maintain shape.

Trasplante

Only repot if the plant becomes root bound in its container.

Suelo

Acidic, well draining soil

pH del suelo

4.5 to 6.0

Temperatura

-20 a 30°C

Humedad

40 a 70%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Moderada

Longevidad

Perennial, typically 10 to 15 years

Fragancia

Suave

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Moderada

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is generally considered non-toxic, though it is not meant for consumption.

Niños

The small, needle-like leaves may pose a minor choking hazard if ingested by small children.

Alérgenos por contacto

The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to fine hairs.

Alérgenos en el aire

Pollen is generally heavy and not a major cause of airborne allergies.

Comestibilidad

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

Cómo identificarla

• Needle like evergreen leaves
• Small bell shaped pink flowers
• Low growing spreading habit
• Whorled leaf arrangement on stems

Altura

0,15 a 0,3m

Anchura

0,3 a 0,6m

Hojas

dark green, bronze, evergreen

Flores

pink, white, purple, 0,5 a 1cm

Problemas frecuentes

• Root rot — Occurs when soil remains waterlogged for extended periods.
• Powdery mildew — A fungal growth appearing as white dust on foliage during humid conditions.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

cuttings, division

Cuándo plantar

spring, autumn

Cuidados en invierno

This plant is very hardy and requires no special winter protection in most climates. Ensure the soil remains well-drained to prevent root damage during freeze-thaw cycles.

En maceta

It performs beautifully in containers, provided you use an ericaceous potting mix and a pot at least 30 cm wide.

Pair this with other acid-loving plants to ensure all members of the bed thrive in the same soil pH.

Buenas compañeras

• Rododendro — They share similar requirements for acidic, well-draining soil.
• Pieris japonica — Both plants thrive in acidic conditions and provide contrasting textures.

Especies parecidas

• Brezo — Often confused with Erica, but has flatter, scale-like leaves.

Ciencia

Familia

Ericaceae

Género

Erica

Orden

Ericales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Central and Southern Europe

Conservación

This species is common in its native range and is not currently threatened.

It thrives in open, acidic woodlands and heathlands where it can access sufficient light.

Valor para la fauna

early season nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas

Usos

groundcover, rock gardens, winter interest, container gardening

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Does it need pruning?

Yes, trim back the flower stems after they fade to keep the plant compact.

Can I grow this in a pot?

It grows very well in containers as long as the soil is acidic and well-drained.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Erica comes from the Greek word ereike, meaning to break, while the species name carnea refers to the flesh-colored flowers.

Bueno saberlo

• It is often called winter heath because it blooms while snow is still on the ground.
• The flowers are technically urn-shaped and hang in clusters.
• It is a calcifuge, meaning it prefers acidic soil and dislikes lime.
• The foliage often turns a bronze color during the winter months.