Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
Care, watering, light and tips for Heather on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Ericaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Heather
Calluna vulgaris, commonly known as heather, is a perennial evergreen shrub prized for its dense spikes of tiny pink, purple, or white flowers that bloom from late summer into autumn. It's an ideal plant for rock gardens, borders, or as ground cover, adding a touch of rustic color and texture. Its compact habit and hardiness make it perfect for creating low-maintenance landscapes.
Native range
Europe and Asia Minor
Care tips
It requires full sun for abundant flowering and an acidic, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry slightly between waterings, and it's crucial to avoid waterlogging. Lightly prune spent flowers in spring to encourage denser growth; a common mistake is pruning too late in the season, which can affect the following year's bloom.
How to save a dying Heather
- Warning signs
- Brown, dry leaves, brittle stems, no blooms or withered flowers. Soil dries out too quickly.
- First aid
- Repot to a larger container with acidic substrate (pH 4.5-5.5) if in a small pot. Water with lime-free water (rain or distilled). Protect from intense direct sun.
- What kills it
- Alkaline substrate or hard water, excessive sun or prolonged drought. Does not tolerate waterlogging or heavy soil.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotted or dried out. Act fast by correcting pH and moisture.