Heather (ling) Calluna vulgaris
Heather (ling) (Calluna vulgaris) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Ericaceae family, native to Europe, Asia Minor and northwest Africa; naturalised in North America. It grows 20–60 cm (8–24 in) tall and 30–70 cm (12–28 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Heather (ling) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Heather (ling) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Mature height | 20–60 cm (8–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–70 cm (12–28 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 4–6 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 6–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe, Asia Minor and northwest Africa; naturalised in North America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Invasive in | New Zealand (Tongariro National Park): check local rules before planting |
Is Heather (ling) 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 Heather (ling)
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 Heather (ling) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (6 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (6 plants)
Questions about Heather (ling)
- How far apart should I plant Heather (ling)?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–70 cm (12–28 in).
- Does Heather (ling) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Heather (ling) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Heather (ling)?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Heather (ling) flower?
- From about August for 6–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Heather (ling) 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 Heather (ling)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Heather (ling). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Needs lime-free, acidic, well-drained soil; clip after flowering; heath and moorland stands are highly flammable.
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
- Mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia