Also known as Mountain Laurel · 180 gardener saves
Kalmia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Kalmia, the genus most gardeners know as mountain laurel. We track 7 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 7 most-saved Kalmia varieties
Of 7 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedFirecracker Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia 'Firecracker'
#2 most savedSarah Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia 'Sarah'
#3 most savedMinuet Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia 'Minuet'
Olympic Fire Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia 'Olympic Fire'
Elf Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia 'Elf'
Carol Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia 'Carol'
Keepsake Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia 'Keepsake'
How to grow Kalmia
What the Kalmia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 7 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Kalmia year
- MulchApril, October and November100% of varieties
Maintain a 2-3 inch layer of acidic mulch like pine bark or compost.
- FertilizeApril100% of varieties
Apply a fertilizer for acid-loving plants in early spring as new growth emerges.
- PruneJune71% of varieties
Prune immediately after flowering to shape the plant and remove spent blooms.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October71% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in acidic, well-drained soil.
- Check for PestsMay–July43% of varieties
Inspect for lace bugs, which cause stippling on leaves.
Do
- Water regularly, especially during dry periods.
- Maintain a consistent layer of acidic mulch.
- Test soil pH and amend if necessary to keep it acidic.
- Deadhead spent flower clusters to promote vegetative growth.
- Ensure the soil is acidic (pH 4.5-5.5).
Avoid
- Do not plant in heavy, wet, or alkaline soils.
- Avoid deep planting, which can suffocate the roots.
- Don't let the soil dry out completely.
- Refrain from fertilizing heavily, as they are not heavy feeders.
What goes wrong with Kalmia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Lace Bug | Yellow or whitish stippling on the upper leaf surface; dark spots on the underside. | Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Encourage predatory insects. Systemic insecticides can be effective. |
| Lace Bugs | Yellow or white stippling on upper leaf surfaces; dark varnish-like spots on undersides. | Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, ensuring good coverage of leaf undersides. Systemic insecticides like imidacloprid can be used. |
| Weevils | Notching on leaf margins from adult feeding; wilting from larval root damage. | Apply beneficial nematodes to the soil to control larvae. Use sticky barriers on trunks for adults. Chemical controls include pyrethroids. |
| Lace bug | White stippling on leaves, yellowing | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Cercospora Leaf Spot | Circular, brown or purplish spots on leaves, which can cause defoliation. | Improve air circulation by pruning. Rake up and destroy fallen leaves. Apply a copper-based or other appropriate fungicide. |
| Root Rot | Wilting, yellowing leaves, and overall decline of the plant. | Prevention is key; plant in well-drained soil. There is no cure once established. |
| Root rot | Wilting, yellowing leaves, soggy roots | Improve drainage, reduce watering, treat with fungicide |
Making more Kalmia
Softwood Cuttings
- Take 4-6 inch cuttings of new growth in late spring.
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.
- Stick in a sterile, moist medium under high humidity.
- Rooting is difficult and can take several months.
Softwood cuttings
- Take cuttings in late spring from new growth.
- Wound the base and apply a strong rooting hormone.
- Stick in a well-drained medium under high humidity.
- Rooting is slow and difficult, often taking several months.
Kalmia questions
How many types of Kalmia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 7 distinct Kalmia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 180 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Kalmia grow in?
Across its varieties, Kalmia 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 Kalmia bloom?
Most Kalmia varieties bloom in late spring to early summer, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Kalmia 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 Kalmia 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.
