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Heather

About Heather

This plant can be grown as a groundcover and is tolerant of poor soils, prune every spring to prevent bare stems.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Calluna vulgaris

Genus

Calluna

Family

Ericaceae

Order

Ericales

Also known as

Common heather, Ling and Calluna

How to care for Heather

💦 Water

How often to water your Heather

Heather needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Heather in your home

Heather love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Heather does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Heather in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Heather

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Heather: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Heather after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Dropping leaves My Heather plant is forever shedding its little flowers and leaves. Not really sure how to help it or if this is normal?

Browse #Heather

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Heather is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

Benefits of Growing Heather →

Common Heather Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Heather prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Heather Water Frequency →

Heather Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Heather requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Heather Light Requirements →

Heather Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

🪴 Soil

Heather does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

When and How to Successfully Repot Heather →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Heather grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.

How and When to Prune Heather →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Heather can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-6b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Heather Temperature Tolerance →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.