The grape heather is very popular because of its special color of the leaves. With the right care, diseases are almost impossible.
The grape heather (leucothoe) is a popular eye-catcher in the bed or balcony box. The brightly colored leaves of the plant, which originates from North America, offer an atmospheric sight, especially during the cold season. The plants have been cultivated in Europe since the mid-19th century. The heather plants have proven to be quite uncomplicated and robust plants. If you follow a few care instructions, you will be able to enjoy the colorful and floriferous perennials, which are also used as ground cover, for several years.
How to properly care for grape heather
Water the grape heather properly
The grape heather does not like drought. So don't forget to water the plants regularly. Lime does not get to the plants, so irrigation with water that comes straight from the tap is not advisable. Therefore, if possible, use lime-free rainwater or leave the water from the tap for a while until the lime has settled. When watering, you should then not use the sediment for irrigation and leave it in the watering can.
Tip: Regular mulching can prevent the soil from drying out too quickly. This saves you repeated watering on hot summer days. In addition, a layer of mulch is a welcome source of nutrients for the plants.
Potted plants have an increased need for liquid and should always be watered regularly. Make sure you choose a planter that has enough drainage holes and pour the water out of the planter regularly after watering. Otherwise, waterlogging will occur in the planter. Grape heather does not tolerate this.
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- water regularly
- Mulch retains moisture in the soil
- Use lime-free water
Fertilize the grape heather properly
Put a layer of mulch on the soil regularlyoff, additional fertilization is not absolutely necessary. The mulch layer supplies the plant with nutrients. Additional fertilization only makes sense in a particularly barren and light-poor location.
Tip: Rhododendron fertilizer contains all the important nutrients that grape heather also needs for he althy growth:
A general soil improvement can be achieved by adding peat. Another insider tip is to spread the peels of apples or other sour fruits and vegetables on the ground around the plant. This ensures the necessary acidity in the soil, which grape heaths prefer at their location.
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- Bark mulch ensures organic long-term fertilization
- Rhododendron fertilizer contains all important nutrients
- Waste from apples and other fruits and vegetables keeps the soil acidic
Does the grape heather have to be cut?
The grape heather does not necessarily have to be cut. However, if the growth seems too dense to you, you can remove individual shoots at any time and thin out the grape heather. If you want to do a complete pruning, you should do this immediately after flowering. The plants are quite vigorous and often form offshoots. If you don't want a blanket of grape heather in your garden, removing the runners is essential.
Tip: If older leaves are pruned back, attractive light-colored leaves appear with the new shoots, which provide a high-contrast picture.
Overview of the most important care instructions
| Care measure | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Casting | • Doesn't tolerate drought well. • Water regularly. • Use rainwater if possible • Bark mulch promotes moist soil. • Potted plants need more water than grape heather outdoors. |
| Fertilize | • A layer of mulch supplies the plant with nutrients. • Additional fertilization is usually not necessary. • Fertilizer for rhododendrons contains all the necessary nutrients. |
| Cutting | • Regular pruning is not necessary. • If necessary, the plant can be thinned out. • The foothills must be removed to prevent the uncontrolled spread of grape heather.• Grape heather can also be cut back completely after flowering. |
Propagating Grape Heather…
Grape Heaths can be propagated by cuttings or by seed. Both methods are quite easy to carry out and the propagation usually succeeds without problems.
… by cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is best done in summer. Then the cuttings can grow well and form sufficient roots before winter. Half-lignified shoots can be used as cuttings. These are cut in a length of about 20 centimeters. The cutting is placed in loose soil and watered regularly. If new shoots appear, the propagation has been successful and root formation has already begun.
» Reading tip: Cut and propagate cuttings
… by sowing
The seed can be planted in potting soil in spring. Keep the seeds evenly moist and they will start to germinate within a few weeks. When the first cotyledons have appeared, the young plants are transferred to separate planters and grown further until the plants have reached a sufficient size to be placed in the garden bed or planter.
Diseases of grape heather
The grape heather is an extremely robust plant. Most species are hardly attacked by diseases or pests. However, there are two weaknesses that can make Grape Heath ail and damage.
The plants can suffer from chlorosis. The hobby gardener will see pale leaves on affected plants and observe a general ailing of the plants. The disease is caused by too high a pH of the soil. The plants lack chlorophyll due to the insufficient supply of nutrients. This care error can be remedied by converting the grape heather into an acidic substrate. Play it safe with rhododendron soil:
Care for grape heather should not be neglected in winter. The plants react less sensitively to frost than to a violent change in temperature. The plants should be able to slowly get used to an upcoming change in temperature. Potted plants should not be placed outdoors in the blazing sun immediately after their winter quarters. In winter, a winter protection made of garden fleece helps against extreme temperature changes.
Wintering the grape heather
In general, the grape heather can only be classified as moderately hardy. MostOutdoor plants need winter protection. Potted plants should not be overwintered outdoors. Plants in tubs are more sensitive and susceptible to frost and must be left indoors over the winter. If you cannot provide a winter location in the house, you should protect the planter adequately. So that the frost cannot reach the roots in the planter, the planter should be placed on a base made of polystyrene or wood. Also wrap the planter with jute or garden fleece and place the planter in a wind-protected place.
Outdoor plants do not tolerate winter sun. Therefore, protect the plants with a covering of brushwood, leaves or straw. The layer should be at least five centimeters. Even in winter, the plant should be checked from time to time. On frost-free days, the grape heather can be watered a little.
Tip: The more attractive the leaf color of the grape heather, the more sensitive the plants are to frost.