There is no doubt that autumn is also a magical season for plants. If you thought they only bloomed in spring and summer, the truth is that is not the case. You can find fall gems like the Erica cinerea.
Wait, you don’t know what plant we’re talking about? Maybe it is better known as heather, but in reality it is different from the common, do you want to know more?
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Erica cinerea: characteristics of the plant
First, you need to know what we mean by Erica cinerea. It is a genus of heather, also known as argoña, bell heather or argaña.
This shrub, which does not exceed 60 centimeters, has very, very thin leaves, but what characterizes it the most are two things: on the one hand, the fact that all the branches are covered with grayish down, like s it was ash (hence the nickname bell heather); on the other hand, the pink or purple flowers, which are bell-shaped and occur in clusters with several flowers in each one.
Unlike other plants, Erica cinerea always blooms in mid to late summer, but the truth is, it stays on all winter. Of course when the plant finishes flowering it doesn’t fade away, it’s a perennial which means it will stay in its ash green color for most of the year and when the end of summer arrives you will see how it begins to blossom and dye the environment with its characteristic pink.
Now, we have already told you that the Erica cinerea is similar to the heather, that is to say the Calluna. In fact, you can sometimes see them in stores, side by side. The main difference between the two (apart from that ash gray of the branches of this erica, is in its flowers. While the heather leaves a little space and the flowers seem between pink and green, in the case of the ericas that doesn’t happen, and it blooms so much that the stems practically cover it in that colorful pink, making it much more full of hue.
Both are very easy to maintain and many, unable to choose one, buy both. It is really the same family, but it is especially its flowering which differs.
In its natural habitat, it always lives in decalcified and low humidity soils.
Erica cinerea treatment
If you want to have an Erica cinerea in your home, you need to know what care it needs to last a very long time. Among them we can give you the following:
lighting and temperature
We are talking about a somewhat wild plant, which adapts well to any environment you give it. However, if you want to give one as similar as possible to your home, then our recommendation is to go for one in full sun.
If you live in an area where the sun is very hot (especially in summer), you can opt for partial shade or even full shade.
However, it is best that you bet on giving it plenty of sun because that way you will make it healthier.
However, in terms of temperature, it perfectly tolerates moderate heat. Like any plant, when this heat is intense enough, it suffers, so in these cases it bets on watering more so that it can recover. Cold tolerates it too, which is why it is said to be one of the best plants for fall, and even winter.
Irrigation
Although the Erica cinerea is an outdoor plant, it really likes to keep the substrate moist. Of course, that it is not soaked and above all that it does not dry out too much. It is best to let it breathe between waterings, but without making it suffer from drought conditions as this will only weaken the plant.
Thus, we can tell you that from March to November it must be watered between 2 and 3 times a week. And from November to March with one per week (or every 10 days) that will be enough. It all depends on where you put it.
Substrate
Normally, if you have this plant at home, it is potted (although you can also plant it in the garden). If so, always opt for acidic soils, with a pH between 3 and 4.5. Also, make sure the soil is low in nitrogen to keep it looking its best.
Cut
Pruning Erica cinerea is important to keep it healthy. And it is that, when after flowering the flowers dry up, they must be removed to prevent them from spoiling its appearance. At the end of winter, you need to remember the stems so that the plant is compact and to start the process of growth and development of flowering.
Plagues and diseases
Although Erica cinerea is a very resistant plant, it must be monitored often because scale insects and mites can attack it. The good thing is that both are easy to eliminate, so you won’t have a problem if you catch them in time for them to harm your health.
Uses of Erica cinerea
Finally, we want to tell you about the uses of Erica cinerea. And it is not only a decorative and striking plant for its showy flowers, but it can also be used for much more.
For example, it serves to strengthen the muscles. You can boil water with this heather for 20 minutes and use it to pour it over a bathtub and give yourself a soaking bath and hot water to get what you are looking for.
Another common use of Erica cinerea is as a diuretic and urinary tract antiseptic. To do this, you also need to boil it, but in this case the best are the tips of the flowers. In 10 minutes you will have an infusion which, if taken, will greatly improve kidney and urinary problems. But also diarrhea in case you have any.
As you can see, the Erica cinerea is not only a typical autumn plant, it is also one of those that you can consider medicinal due to the properties it has. So now you just need to find the plant and take care of it so that it lasts a long time. Do you own or have you had this variety of pink heather?