There is no doubt that autumn is also a magical season for plants. If you thought that they only bloomed in spring and summer, the truth is that this 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 is better known as heather, but in reality it is different from the common, Do you want to know more about her?
Erica cinerea: characteristics of the plant
First of all, you should know what we mean by Erica cinerea. It is a genus of heather, also known as argoña, ashy heather or argaña.
This bush, does not grow more than 60 centimeters, it has very, very fine leaves, but what characterizes it most are two things: on the one hand, the fact that all the branches are covered by a greyish fluff, as if it were ash (hence the nickname of ashen heather); on the other hand, the pink or purple flowers, which are bell-shaped and occur in clusters with several flowers in each of them.
Unlike other plants, Erica cinerea always blooms in mid to late summer, but the truth is that it is maintained throughout the winter. Of course, when the plant finishes flowering, it does not disappear, it is perennial, which means that it will remain in its ashy green color for almost the entire year and, when the end of summer arrives, you will see how it begins to bloom and dye the environment with its characteristic pink.
Now, we have told you before that the Erica cinerea is similar to the heather, that is, to the Calluna. In fact, you can sometimes see them in stores, side by side. The main difference between the two (apart from that ashy gray of the branches of this erica, is in its flowers. While the heather leaves some space and the flowers look between pink and green, in the case of the ericas this does not happen , and it blooms so much that the stems practically cover them with that colorful pink, which makes it look much more full of hue.
Both are very easy to care for, and many, unable to choose one, buy both. It really is the same family, but its flowering is where it mainly differs.
In its natural habitat, it always lives in decalcified soils and without much humidity.
Erica the cinder that
In case you want to have an Erica cinerea in your home, you should know what care it needs so that it lasts a long, 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 close to home as possible, then our recommendation is that bet on one in full sun.
In case you live in an area where the sun is very hot (especially in summer), you can opt for semi-shade, or even full shade.
However, it is best that you bet on Give it a lot of sun because that way you will make it healthier.
Now about the temperature. perfectly tolerates moderate heat. Like any plant, when this heat is quite intense it suffers, so in those cases it bets on watering more so that it can recover. The cold also tolerates it, which is why it is said that it is one of the best plants for autumn, and even winter.
Irrigation
Although the Erica cinerea is an outdoor plant, it does like a lot that you 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 states because that will only weaken the plant.
So we can tell you that from March to November you should water it 2-3 times a week. And from November to March with one a week (or every 10 days) it will be enough. It all depends on where you have it placed.
Substratum
Normally, if you have this plant at home, it is in a pot (although you could also plant it in the garden). If so, always bet on acid soils, with a pH between 3 and 4,5. Also, make sure the soil is poor in nitrogen to keep it at its best.
Pruning
Pruning on Erica cinerea is important to keep it healthy. And it is that, when after flowering the flowers dry, it is necessary to remove them to prevent it from spoiling your appearance. At the end of winter you need to remember the stems so that the plant is compact and also to start the process of growth and development of flowering.
Plagues and diseases
Although the Erica cinerea is a very resistant plant, you should check it often because the mealybugs and mites can attack it. The good thing is that both are easy to eliminate, so you won’t have a problem if you detect them in time for them to take a toll on your health.
Uses of Erica cinerea
To finish, we want to talk to 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 is used to strengthen the muscles. You can boil water with this briar 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 to serve as diuretic and antiseptic of the urinary tract. To do this, you also have to boil it, only in this case the best are the tips of the flowers. In 10 minutes you will have an infusion that, if you take it, will greatly improve kidney and urinary problems. But also diarrhea in case you have it.
As you can see, 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 have or have you had this variety of pink heather?
