Calluna Heather

Calluna Heather Care

Calluna vulgaris

What is the plant

Calluna Heather embodies all the features a novice gardener might be looking for. You can easily take care of it; it tolerates cold and delights with its blooms.

Calluna vulgaris is also known as Ling Plant, Calluna Heather, or Common Heather. This low-growing plant species will make a perfect ground cover. Heather makes up a blanket on fields and moorlands. Once it blooms in late summer, the sight is spectacular.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

10°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

4a - 6

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water your Calluna vulgaris as soon as the topsoil is dry, as deep as your knuckle. This plant will appreciate regularly moist soil and filtered and lime-free water.
Pruning
Ling plants enjoy being pruned as it helps them to flower more abundantly and develop new healthy growth. Prune your Heather in early spring by cutting the last year's new shoots back by half.
Fertilizer
It is recommended to feed your Heather in spring using a fertilizer high in potassium and nitrogen. A specially formulated fertilizer for acidic soils will do as well.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Calluna vulgaris feels best in partial shade or under bright indirect light.
Soil
Sandy and humus-rich soils are best for Common Heather. A peat-based potting mix will also ensure sufficient drainage and provide a suitable pH level.
Propagation
Layering is the most suitable method for propagating Calluna Heather if you grow it outdoors. In the fall, find a shoot attached to a power plant, press it into the ground, and cover it with some soil. When given enough moisture, the shoot will grow roots. As soon as it does, cut it off from the main plant and transplant it to another spot.

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Temperature
Heather is a hardy plant and can survive in winter, but only when it's more than one year old. Make sure to mulch your plant and avoid winter drought by watering it regularly if you decide to let it stay in the garden for winter. The ideal temperature range is between 50-70°F (10-21°C).
Container
Your ideal container should have drainage holes and a pot saucer. When planting Calluna Heather, consider how many plants you would like to grow so that you can space them 10 inches (25 cm) apart from each other.
Fun fact
Ling plants attract bees thanks to their easily accessible nectar, which is why you can buy heather honey. What is more, Heather alleviates skin irritation and is appealing to butterflies as well.