Cross-leaved heath.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Evergreen shrub

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

1 to 2 feet

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 8

Bloom time

Mid summer to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its natural boggy habitat. Watch for wilting or browning leaves, which often signal that the plant has dried out too much. Ensure the soil remains acidic to keep the plant happy and healthy.

Watering

Keep the soil damp at all times, never allowing it to dry out completely.

Feeding

Apply a slow release ericaceous fertilizer once in the early spring.

Pruning

Trim back lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape.

Repotting

Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its container, using an acidic potting mix.

Soil

Peaty, acidic, moisture retentive

Soil pH

Acidic

Temperature

-20 to 25°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years

Deer and rabbits

High

Safety

People

There is no evidence of significant toxicity to humans.

Children

The plant is not toxic, but the small, dense foliage can be a choking hazard for very young children.

Contact allergens

The fine hairs on the leaves may cause mild irritation to sensitive skin.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is generally not considered a major allergen.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible.

How to identify it

• Whorls of four needle like leaves
• Small pink bell shaped flowers
• Greyish green foliage with fine hairs
• Low growing shrubby habit

Height

0.15 to 0.3m

Spread

0.2 to 0.4m

Leaves

grey-green, evergreen

Flowers

pink, white, 0.5 to 0.8cm

Problems to watch for

• Root rot · Occurs if water stagnates around the roots or if drainage is poor in non-boggy conditions.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

It is very hardy and requires no special protection in winter. Ensure the soil remains moist even during dormant periods.

In containers

It grows well in containers if kept in a bog-style setup with a tray of water underneath.

Group this plant with other acid-loving bog species to ensure consistent soil moisture and pH levels.

Grows well with

• Bog Rosemary · They share a love for the same acidic, moisture-retentive soil conditions.
• Common Sundew · They naturally occur together in nutrient-poor boggy habitats.

Similar species

• Common Heather · It is a related heath plant but prefers slightly better-drained soil.

Science

Family

Ericaceae

Genus

Erica

Order

Ericales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Western and Northern Europe.

Conservation

It is common in its native range but sensitive to habitat loss from drainage.

It survives in waterlogged, acidic soils by forming symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi to access nutrients.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

groundcover, rock garden, bog garden

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need boggy soil?

Yes, it prefers consistently moist, acidic soil and does not tolerate drying out.

Should I prune it?

Light pruning after flowering helps keep the plant compact and prevents it from becoming woody.

Where the name comes from

The name Erica comes from the Greek word for heath, while tetralix refers to the four-leaved whorls of its foliage.

Good to know

• It is often called the cross-leaved heath because its leaves grow in whorls of four.
• It thrives in nutrient-poor, acidic soils where many other plants struggle.
• The bell-shaped flowers are perfectly adapted for bees to crawl inside.

Also in

• Deer-resistant plants