Heather.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Evergreen shrub

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

60 cm tall and 80 cm wide

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Late summer to mid autumn

Care

Plant in acidic soil and keep it consistently moist but never waterlogged. Prune back the old flower spikes after they fade to encourage a tidy shape and fresh growth. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signals that the soil pH is too high.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist but ensure it drains well to prevent root rot.

Feeding

Apply a slow release acidic fertilizer in early spring.

Pruning

Trim back the spent flower stems in late autumn or early spring.

Repotting

Repot only when the plant becomes root bound in its container.

Soil

Sandy, acidic, peaty soil

Soil pH

Acidic (pH 4.5 to 5.5)

Temperature

-25 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years.

Fragrance

light

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Safety

People

This plant is generally considered non toxic to humans.

Children

The small, dense foliage may pose a minor choking hazard if ingested by very young children.

Contact allergens

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

Airborne allergens

The pollen is not considered a significant allergen for most people.

Edibility

While heather is sometimes used in traditional teas, it is not considered a food crop and should be consumed with caution.

How to identify it

• Tiny scale like evergreen leaves
• Dense spikes of bell shaped flowers
• Low growing, spreading shrub habit
• Woody, branching stems

Height

0.2 to 0.6m

Spread

0.3 to 0.8m

Leaves

green, grey-green, evergreen

Flowers

pink, purple, white, 0.3 to 0.5cm

Common problems

• Root rot — This occurs when the soil remains too wet for too long.
• Powdery mildew — A fungal issue that appears as white dust on leaves during humid weather.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, division, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

In cold climates, apply a light mulch around the base to protect roots from freezing and thawing cycles. Keep the plant in a spot with good air circulation to prevent fungal issues during wet winter months.

In containers

It grows well in containers if you use a large pot with excellent drainage and acidic potting mix.

Group plants with similar acidic soil needs to ensure everyone stays healthy.

Grows well with

• Erica — They share similar soil and light requirements for a cohesive look.
• Blueberry — Both plants thrive in the acidic soil conditions that heather prefers.

Keep away from

• Lavender — Lavender prefers alkaline soil, which will eventually kill the heather.

Similar species

• Winter Heath — It looks very similar but blooms in late winter or early spring.

Science

Family

Ericaceae

Genus

Calluna

Order

Ericales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe and parts of Asia Minor.

Conservation

It is not currently threatened, but wild harvesting should be done sustainably to protect local heathland habitats.

It dominates nutrient poor, acidic heathlands by forming dense mats that suppress competing vegetation.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, winter cover

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

groundcover, rock gardens, pollinator gardens

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need acidic soil?

Yes, it thrives in acidic, well draining soil.

How often should I prune it?

Prune lightly after flowering to keep the plant compact.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Calluna comes from the Greek word kalluno, meaning to sweep, referring to its historic use in making brooms. The species name vulgaris simply means common.

Good to know

• It is the national flower of Norway.
• Heather honey is highly prized for its unique, jelly like texture.
• The plant was historically used to make brooms and thatch roofs.