Besom heath (Green heather) care

Light

Besom heath needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Full sun is preferred; plants in shade lose their upright form and produce poor foliage. South- or west-facing open positions suit this species. Tolerates coastal exposure well and is suitable for windswept garden settings. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water besom heath weekly during establishment; largely self-sufficient once established. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Once established in suitable soil, rainfall in the UK is usually sufficient. Water during prolonged summer droughts, particularly in the first two seasons. Excellent drainage is essential; the plant is highly intolerant of waterlogged conditions.

Soil and pot

Besom heath grows best in acidic, well-drained to dry sandy or loamy soil. Best in acidic soil (pH 4.5–6.5) that is poor to moderately fertile with excellent drainage. Naturally grows on heathland, scrub, and rocky hillsides. Avoid alkaline soils; will chlorose on chalk or limestone. Sandy or gritty loam is ideal. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Besom heath sits happiest at around 40–65% humidity and -15 to 35°C (5 to 95°F). Tolerates the relatively dry conditions of Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal habitats, as well as the moderately humid UK climate. Good drainage and air circulation are more important than humidity level. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed besom heath sparingly. Requires little fertiliser; adapted to poor, lean soils. A light top-dressing of ericaceous fertiliser in early spring maintains healthy foliage. Over-fertilising leads to lush, soft growth more susceptible to disease. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on besom heath in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Phytophthora root rot — The primary threat in poorly drained or heavy soils. Plants wilt, collapse, and show black rotting roots. Ensure sharp drainage from the outset; plant on raised mounds in heavy soils. No cure — remove affected plants and avoid replanting in waterlogged areas.
• Chlorosis on alkaline soils — Yellow leaves with green veins indicate iron/manganese deficiency caused by high soil pH. Apply chelated iron as a temporary remedy. Long-term success is only possible on acidic soils; do not plant on chalk or limestone.
• Lack of ornamental flower interest — Unlike many heathers, Erica scoparia has inconspicuous greenish-brown flowers with limited visual impact. It is grown primarily for foliage and architectural form, not flower colour. Set expectations accordingly when selecting it for ornamental planting.

Propagation

Take 3–6 cm semi-ripe cuttings with a heel in mid- to late summer. Insert in a 50:50 mix of perlite and ericaceous compost and root at 15–18°C under a propagating cover or in a cold frame. Can also be propagated by layering low stems in late summer, with rooting occurring within 12 months. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Besom heath is pet-safe. Erica scoparia is not individually listed by the ASPCA. No toxic compounds are known in the Erica genus, and besom heath is generally considered non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Large ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation in sensitive animals. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Besom heath deep-dive guides

Every aspect of besom heath care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Common besom heath problems & fixes
• Besom heath watering schedule
• Besom heath light requirements
• Best soil mix for besom heath
• Besom heath fertilizing guide
• When to repot besom heath
• How to propagate besom heath
• How to prune besom heath
• What's eating my besom heath?
• Besom heath growth rate & size
• Besom heath cold hardiness
• Besom heath temperature & humidity
• Is besom heath toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is besom heath toxic to cats?
• Is besom heath toxic to dogs?
• All 20 Erica varieties
• Getting besom heath to bloom

Featured in these plant shortlists

Besom heath qualifies for 11 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best pet-safe houseplants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — every one verified against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
• Best drought-tolerant houseplants — Houseplants that prefer to dry out — forgiving of forgotten watering and ideal for travel or busy weeks.
• Best flowering houseplants — Indoor plants grown for their blooms — selected from the flowering species in Growli’s plant-care library.
• Best pet-safe low-maintenance plants — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and forgiving of forgotten watering — the easiest safe choices for a busy pet household.
• Best pet-safe flowering plants — Flowering houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — colour and blooms in a pet home, without the worry.
• Best pet-safe plants for bright light — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and happy in a bright, sunny spot — safe plants for your best-lit windowsill.
• Best pet-safe large indoor plants — Big, floor-standing houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — a statement plant that is safe around pets.
• Best houseplants for full sun — Houseplants that want direct sun — the species for a hot south or west-facing windowsill where shade-lovers scorch.
• Best houseplants for a cool room — Houseplants that tolerate cool conditions down to about 10°C — for an unheated spare room, hallway, porch or a home kept cool.
• Best cat-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats (and dogs) — safe greenery for a home with a curious cat.
• Best dog-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs (and cats) — safe greenery for a home with a curious dog.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Besom heath is also known as Besom heath, Green heather, and Broom heath.

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