Arctic bell-heather Cassiope tetragona
Arctic bell-heather (Cassiope tetragona) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Ericaceae family, native to Circumpolar Arctic tundra (snowbeds). It grows 10–25 cm (4–10 in) tall and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -50 °C (-58 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Arctic bell-heather in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Arctic bell-heather at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Mature height | 10–25 cm (4–10 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -50 °C (-58 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 1) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 20 °C (68 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Circumpolar Arctic tundra (snowbeds) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia |
Is Arctic bell-heather toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves
Ericaceae: may contain grayanotoxins in small amounts.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Arctic bell-heather
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Mountain laurel: Mountain laurel and rhododendrons are hosts of Phytophthora ramorum (sudden oak death), which spreads from infected foliage between neighbouring plants. Evidence B
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
See Arctic bell-heather in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (16 plants)
Questions about Arctic bell-heather
- How far apart should I plant Arctic bell-heather?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).
- Does Arctic bell-heather need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Arctic bell-heather need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Arctic bell-heather?
- It tolerates about -50 °C (-58 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 1.
- When does Arctic bell-heather flower?
- From about June for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Arctic bell-heather poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Ericaceae: may contain grayanotoxins in small amounts.
- What grows well with Arctic bell-heather?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Arctic bell-heather. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Norwegian species and red-list information, Artsdatabanken
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden, Tromsø, The Arctic University Museum of Norway (UiT)
Notes and assumptions
- Arctic-alpine: needs cold winters with snow cover, cool summers and sharp drainage; struggles in warm, humid lowlands.
- Four-ranked scale leaves on upright stems, with nodding white bells; Inuit used it as fuel.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- American cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
- Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus
- Satsuki azalea Rhododendron indicum
- Japanese andromeda (pieris) Pieris japonica
- Heather (ling) Calluna vulgaris