Pink Mountain Heather Plant Care

Pink Mountain Heather (Phyllodoce empetriformis) belongs to the Ericaceae family within the Phyllodoce genus. Pink Mountain Heather is native to alpine environments in the Rocky Mountains of the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. Pink Mountain Heather is also known as Pink Heather, Daphne Heath.

Pink Mountain Heather displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Pink Mountain Heather produces bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 2.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pink Mountain Heather every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Pink Mountain Heather thrives in partial shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Pink Mountain Heather in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Phyllodoce empetriformis tolerates temperatures of 45–70°F. Pink Mountain Heather prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining acidic soil mix with peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Pink Mountain Heather to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Pink Mountain Heather every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full shade and well-draining acidic soil mix with peat moss and pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Pink Mountain Heather is suited to USDA Zone 3a – 7b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Pink Mountain Heather can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Pink Mountain Heather while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Pink Mountain Heather is hardy down to USDA zone 3a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Pink Mountain Heather can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blue mountain heath plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Pink Mountain Heather is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, leafhoppers. 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.

Pink Mountain Heather grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 7b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Pink Mountain Heather is native to alpine environments in the Rocky Mountains of the Northwestern United States and Western Canada.