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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.

Browse #Heather

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

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

How to Grow Heather →

Benefits of Growing Heather →

Common Heather Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Heather →

💦 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

Heather is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 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!

Best Soil Mix for Heather →

Best Pots for Heather →

When and How to Successfully Repot Heather →

What Are Healthy Heather Roots →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

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

Heather Lifecycle →

Heather Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Heather →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Heather can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-7b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Heather Temperature Tolerance →

Heather Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Heather →

When to Plant Heather →

How to Plant Heather →

Where to Plant Heather →

Winter Care for Heather →

Best Companion Plants for Heather →

Is Heather a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Heather, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 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.