Tree heath Erica arborea
Tree heath (Erica arborea) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Ericaceae family, native to Mediterranean, Atlantic islands and East African mountains. It grows 1–4 m (3.3–13 ft) tall and 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
Plan Tree heath in your garden →
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Tree heath at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Mature height | 1–4 m (3.3–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mediterranean, Atlantic islands and East African mountains |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇬🇷 Greece |
Is Tree 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 Tree 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
Questions about Tree heath
- How far apart should I plant Tree heath?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft).
- Does Tree heath need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Tree heath need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Tree heath?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Tree heath flower?
- From about March for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Tree 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 Tree heath?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Tree 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).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
Notes and assumptions
- Honey-scented white flowers; its root burls are carved into briar tobacco pipes.
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
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- Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
- Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus
- Satsuki azalea Rhododendron indicum
- Japanese andromeda (pieris) Pieris japonica
- Heather (ling) Calluna vulgaris