Winter Heath Erica carnea 'Wintersonne'

Water

Winter Heath should be watered thoroughly, allowing its soil to become moderately dry between waterings. Typically, it requires watering once every week during the growing season, but this can vary depending on climate and soil conditions. During the winter, when the plant's growth slows down, you should reduce watering frequency, potentially to every two weeks, ensuring the soil doesn't become waterlogged. It's best to provide about a gallon of water per watering session for an established plant, making sure to moist all of the root zone.

Light

Winter Heath thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. The ideal spot is where the plant can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, although it can tolerate some afternoon shade especially in regions with very hot summers. Avoid deep shade locations as it could impede flowering and overall plant vigor.

Temperature

Winter Heath is hardy and adapted to cool temperatures, tolerating a range between 10°F during winter to about 70°F in the summer. It can survive temporary dips below this minimum but sustained exposure to extreme cold can damage the plant. The ideal temperature for robust growth and flowering is between 50°F to 65°F during the growing season.

Pruning

Winter Heath should be pruned immediately after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage new growth. Typically, this means pruning should be done in late spring. Remove dead flowers and lightly shape the plant by cutting back a quarter to a third of the length of flowered shoots. Pruning once a year is enough to keep the plant looking tidy and healthy.

Cleaning

Not needed

Soil

The best soil mix for Winter Heath ('Wintersonne') should be well-draining and acidic, with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. A mix of peat moss, sand, and loam is ideal for this plant, as it encourages root health and provides appropriate moisture retention without becoming waterlogged.

Repotting

Winter Heath ('Wintersonne') is typically slow-growing and does not require frequent repotting. Repotting every two to three years, or when the plant has outgrown its container, is adequate to maintain its health and vigor.

Humidity & Misting

Winter Heath ('Wintersonne') prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable and can tolerate the drier air found in most home environments. Excess humidity can lead to fungal issues, so it's important not to create overly humid conditions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Winter Heath in a bright spot, with some direct sunlight, and cool temperatures.

• Outdoor

  Plant in well-drained, acidic soil, full sun to partial shade, protect from harsh winds.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

Erica carnea 'Wintersonne', commonly known as Winter Sun Heather, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in well-drained, acidic soil in the presence of adequate moisture and sunlight. From the seedling stage, it develops a woody root system and dense foliage, transitioning into a vegetative phase where it produces needle-like leaves and begins to form a low, bushy growth habit. As it matures, typically within 2-3 years, it reaches the flowering stage, blooming with bell-shaped, pinkish-white flowers from late winter to early spring, which attract pollinators such as bees. After pollination, the flowers develop into small capsules containing seeds, completing the reproductive phase. As a perennial, Erica carnea 'Wintersonne' then enters a period of dormancy during the later part of the spring through fall, conserving energy and preparing for the next flowering season. This cycle of growth, blooming, seed production, and dormancy continues annually throughout the plant's lifespan, which can extend for several years under optimal growing conditions.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Late winter to early spring

• The most popular method of propagation for the Winter Heath (Erica carnea 'Wintersonne') is through semi-ripe cuttings. This is typically done in late summer. A healthy, non-flowering shoot is selected and a 2-3 inch (approximately 5-7.5 cm) cutting is taken. The lower leaves are removed and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. The cutting is then placed in a mixture of perlite and peat, kept moist, and covered with a plastic bag to maintain humidity. It should be kept in a warm place with indirect light. Roots usually develop within six to eight weeks after which the cutting can be potted in soil.