Also known as Heath · 284 gardener saves
Erica: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Erica, the genus most gardeners know as heath. We track 9 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 9 most-saved Erica varieties
Of 9 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedWinter Heath
Erica carnea 'December Red'
#2 most savedWhite Heath
Erica x hybrida 'Alba'
#3 most savedDarley Dale Heath
Erica x hybrida 'Darley Dale'
Myretoun Ruby Winter Heath
Erica carnea 'Myretoun Ruby'
Springwood White Heather
Erica carnea 'Springwood White'
Winter Heath
Erica carnea
Kramer Heath
Erica x hybrida 'Kramer'
Furzey Heath
Erica x hybrida 'Furzey'
Winter Heath
Erica x hybrida
How to grow Erica
What the Erica varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 9 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Erica year
- MulchMarch and October100% of varieties
Refresh mulch (pine needles or bark) to maintain soil acidity
- PruneApril and May100% of varieties
Shear lightly immediately after flowers fade to maintain dense habit
- PlantMarch, September and October78% of varieties
Plant in well-drained, acidic soil in early spring or fall
- FertilizeMarch67% of varieties
Apply acid-loving fertilizer in early spring if growth is weak
- Spring CleanupFebruary33% of varieties
Remove any winter-damaged foliage before new growth begins.
Do
- Prune after flowering to shape the plant
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Prune after flowering to shape the shrub
- Apply acidic fertilizer during active growth
- Feed with acid-loving fertilizer during growing season
Avoid
- Do not prune in late fall or winter
- Refrain from heavy pruning during late fall or winter
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Erica
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted new growth | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with miticide |
| aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| scale insects | Bumps on stems and leaves | Use horticultural oil or remove manually |
| Root Rot | Wilting despite watering, brown roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves with blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply fungicide and ensure good air circulation |
Making more Erica
Cuttings
- Select healthy, semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Cut 4-6 inch segments and remove lower leaves.
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone powder.
- Plant in acidic, well-draining compost.
- Keep soil moist and maintain high humidity for 6 weeks.
Seeds
- Sow seeds on surface of moist, acidic soil in early spring
- Lightly cover with soil
- Keep soil consistently moist and warm for germination
Erica questions
How many types of Erica are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 9 distinct Erica varieties. The most popular — ranked by 284 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Erica grow in?
Across its varieties, Erica covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Erica bloom?
Most Erica varieties bloom in late winter, early spring, mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Erica should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Erica in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
