Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Heliotrope Plant Care
Heliotropium arborescens L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Heliotropium arborescens, the garden heliotrope or just heliotrope, is a species of flowering plant in the family Heliotropiaceae, native to Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. Common names also include cherry pie and common heliotrope.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Heliotrope?
Water Heliotrope every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Heliotrope?
Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Heliotropium genus. Heliotrope is native to Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. Heliotrope is also known as Cherry Pie Plant, Common Heliotrope.
Heliotrope displays a low spreading herb growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Heliotrope produces clusters of tiny, fragrant purple flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Heliotrope?
Heliotropium arborescens requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Heliotrope Need?
Heliotrope thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Heliotrope Prefer?
Heliotropium arborescens grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Heliotrope prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Heliotrope?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Heliotrope to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Heliotrope?
Feed Heliotrope every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Heliotrope?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Heliotrope?
Heliotrope can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Heliotrope Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Heliotrope?
Heliotrope is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Heliotrope Need?
Heliotrope grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Heliotrope is native to Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. In cooler regions, grow Heliotrope as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Heliotrope is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Heliotropium genus — compare its care with other Heliotropium species on PlantoScan.
Heliotropium is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
Heliotrope thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Heliotropium arborescens L., family Boraginaceae (first published in Syst. Nat. ed. 10 , 2: 913 (1759)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Heliotrope is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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