Fire heath Erica cerinthoides
Fire heath (Erica cerinthoides) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Ericaceae family, native to Widespread in South Africa's mountains (fynbos and grassland). It grows 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) tall and 40–80 cm (16–31 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Fire heath in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Fire heath at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Mature height | 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 17–34 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Widespread in South Africa's mountains (fynbos and grassland) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Fire heath toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
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 Fire heath
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low 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 Fire heath in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kirstenbosch (20 plants)
Questions about Fire heath
- How far apart should I plant Fire heath?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–80 cm (16–31 in).
- Does Fire heath need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fire heath need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Fire heath?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Fire heath flower?
- From about July for 17–34 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Fire heath poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Fire heath?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Fire heath. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
Notes and assumptions
- Fynbos: acid, low-phosphorus, sandy soil; no manure or phosphate fertiliser; needs good air movement and dislikes humid summers.
- Clusters of hairy, scarlet tubular flowers; resprouts from a woody rootstock after fire (hence the name).
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