Heather Plant Care

heather plant care

If you are looking for a beautiful looking shrub to have in your home garden, consider getting the Heather Plant. The Heather Plant is a low-maintenance shrub that changes its color year-round. Some of the colors of the plant include pink, green, red, gold, and violet. Here is the complete guide to Heather Plant care!

 

Common Names

  • Heather Plant
  • Heather
  • Scotch Heather
  • Calluna Vulgaris
  • Ling
  • Common Heather Plant

 

What Soil Works Best for a Calluna Vulgaris?

What Soil Works Best for a Calluna Vulgaris

Well-draining soil with organic matter and peat moss in a rock garden or sandy terrain work best for a Calluna Vulgaris. You want well-draining dirt since that reduces the risk of root rot for the plant. If you pot this plant, make sure it has drainage holes at the bottom to allow excess water to flow out of it.

 

In addition to having well-draining soil, Heathers also enjoy being in acidic soil. Consider sprinkling some coffee grounds in the dirt to increase the soil PH level. The soil’s pH level that works best for a Calluna Vulgaris is 4.5 – 6, so use a soil testing kit to get a before/after reading when adding coffee grounds to the dirt, so you don’t give it too much acidity.

 

Can You Use a Houseplant Fertilizer?

You don’t need to give this plant much fertilizer. However, if you want to give it fertilizer, only give it a little during the early spring to encourage rooting. Don’t give the plant any fertilizer in the late summer or early fall since the plant will become dormant in the colder months, and the fertilizer nutrients will make this plant look leggy and unhealthy.

 

How Much Sunlight Does a Common Heather Plant Need?

How Much Sunlight Does a Common Heather Plant Need

Full sun for about six hours works best for a Common Heather Plant each day. By giving the plant direct sunlight for a few hours, the colors of the plant will be vibrant. If you notice that the plant looks dull or leggy, that means that the plant is seeking more sunlight.

 

What Temperature Works Best for a Heather Plant?

The temperature that works best for a Heather Plant is between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this plant will struggle with sudden and dramatic temperature changes. If you keep this plant outdoors, consider bringing it back inside before frost appears on the ground. Keeping the plant in a consistent temperature range works best for its overall health.

 

What Humidity Requirements Does a Calluna Vulgaris Need?

What Humidity Requirements Does a Calluna Vulgaris Need

A Calluna Vulgaris doesn’t need any extra high humidity to survive. Regular indoor or outdoor humidity levels are okay with this plant for survival. However, if the plant is in a dry area in your home or out in dry climates outside, you can mist the plant for a bit to make a little bit of extra humidity.

 

How Often Should You Water a Heather Plant?

You can water this plant weekly during the growing season and give it about 1-2 inches of water. You can reduce the watering frequency and amount during the winter months since the plant will grow less. If the plant does not have enough water, you will notice that the plant will wilt and turn yellow. Otherwise, this plant is pretty drought tolerant in most cases.

 

What Size Does a Heather Plant Get to Typically?

What Size Does a Heather Plant Get to Typically

An Italian Heather Plant grows around 2-3 feet in length and width. If the size of the plant starts to look leggy, you can prune back the plant to make it more visually appealing.

 

Most Common Bugs

Spider mites and scale are common bugs on this plant. If you notice webs between the plant’s leaves, you will need to remove them with soapy water. Consider spraying down the plant with some soap in the water to remove these bugs from the plant.

 

After spraying down the plant, make sure you gently dry the leaves, so you don’t leave any soap on the leaves. Soap on the leaves can damage the leaves on the plant, so pat the plant down after giving it a mini-shower.

 

Most Common Diseases

Root rot is a common problem with this plant for a few reasons. Some reasons for root rot include overwatering the plant, poorly draining soil, and not having suitable drainage holes in the pot. If you suspect root rot, you need to remove the plant from the soil, cut away any infected parts from the root ball, and then plant it back in dry soil.

 

Powdery mildew on the leaves is another common issue with this plant from overhead watering. To reduce this powdery mildew on the plant, avoid overhead watering and only water the soil. If you have this mildew on the leaves, you will need to use a fungicide and gently remove this powdery substance from the leaf.

 

Can you Prune a Heather Plant?

It is best to prune a Heather Plant in the early spring since any cut will encourage faster growth. As the months become warmer, you should regularly prune the plant since it will become leggy. In addition to pruning the plant, you can then propagate it to create more of these plants around your home or in your garden.

 

Can you Propagate a Heather Plant?

Can you Propagate a Heather Plant

It is best to propagate a Heather Plant during the summer. Here are the propagation steps below for this plant.

 

  1. Cut below a node on the mother plant that is about six inches
  2. Put a rooting hormone on the tip of the cutting
  3. Place the cutting into fresh soil
  4. Give the plant some water to settle into the soil
  5. Place the cutting into an area that receives a few hours of sunlight

 

Can You Repot a Heather Plant?

Can You Repot a Heather Plant

Since this plant is a fast grower in the warmer months, repotting the plant is common. Repotting the pant should occur when the plant grows too large for the current container. When you repot the plant, make sure that the root ball fits comfortably in the pot so it can settle. Generally speaking, you should put the plant in a pot that is 1-2 inches bigger in diameter than the previous home.

 

Where Does this Plant Originate from Initially?

The Heather Plant originates from Ireland.

 

What USDA Hardiness Zone Works Best for a Heather Plant?

The USDA Hardiness Zone that works best for this plant is between 4-6.

 

Is it Toxic?

A Heather Plant is toxic if humans or pets ingest large amounts of the plant. Common problems with eating this plant will result in an upset stomach and diarrhea.

 

Conclusion: Heather Plant Care

In summary, a Heather Plant can make an excellent addition to your outdoor garden or inside your home. The burst of bright colors makes this plant stand out from others. Not only is it beautiful with a wide range of colors, but it is relatively low-maintenance to manage, which is perfect for beginners. Along with being low-maintenance, you can propagate it, which means you can add more of them throughout your home and garden!

 

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