Mexican Heather: Plant Care & Growing Guide

The Mexican Heather is a very pretty plant that can really add a special aesthetic to the outside of your home.

This the perfect plant to grow if you want to add a splash of color to your front yard. There are lots of things you will need to know before you can get started.

Mexican Heather Care & Growing Guide

1. Light Requirement

When choosing the perfect spot for your Mexican Heather plant, you’ll want to select an area that gets direct sunlight three or four hours each day. The place that you put this plant should be shaded the rest of the time. These plants need some direct sunlight, but not all day long.

Overexposure to direct sunlight can cause the leaves of this plant to become paler than normal. It is important that you try to replicate its natural growing conditions as closely as possible.

2. Water

It’s also crucial that you are consistent with watering your Mexican Heather plant. This plant needs about one inch of water each week. It takes about a year or two to really establish one of these plants. Once you have done this, you can go longer between watering in it.

3. Climate

Mexican Heathers grow best in climates of USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Those who live in a colder region will be able to grow this plant as an annual without any problems.

If you live in a zone 7 or 8, you will be able to grow this plant as a perennial. It is best to grow it inside or in a greenhouse if you live in an area that is cold for much of the year.

4. Soil

Before you plant your Mexican Heather, you’ll need to keep in mind that it tends to thrive in sandy-loamy soil. The soil has to be well-drained and damp. It is very important that you keep a close eye on the soil you put your plant in. When the top layer feels very dry, you will need to give it a drink of water.

You should combine two to three inches of compost in with the soil once it has been tilled. This can go a long way towards ensuring that the plant thrives overall. You also want to fertilize this plant every three to four months, but not in the winter.

5. Temperature

These plants thrive in hot regions with temperatures from 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be difficult to grow this plant if you live in an area that is very humid or receives a lot of rainfall.

6. Repotting

When it is time to repot your Mexican Heather, you’ll need to gently slide it out of the pot and severe the roots around the rootball with a sharp knife. This is usually not very difficult and only takes 10-15 minutes if you do it correctly.

You will need to use a pot that features drainage holes on the bottom. This will keep the soil from getting too wet, which can lead to root rot.

7. Speed of Growth

This plant grows very quickly, so you will have to transplant it into a larger pot at least once per year.

8. Height and Spread

You can expect your Mexican Heather to grow anywhere from 10 to 18 inches tall and three feet wide. You will therefore need to make sure that it will have enough room to grow, so pick a good spot. If this plant gets crowded by others, you will likely encounter some serious issues.

9. Flowers

This plant produces gorgeous lavender, white and pink flowers for most of the year. This makes it a wonderful choice for anyone who wants to make their home’s exterior brighter and better looking as a whole. Each flower it produces is about three by three inches.

10. Trimming

You won’t have to do much trimming with the Mexican Heather plant. If it starts growing out more than you’d like, you can always shear it back 1/3 of its total height. This will make the plant look nicer. Remember to add mulch and fertilizer when doing this to encourage healthy continued growth.

Is the Mexican Heather Plant Poisonous?

The Mexican Heather plant is not poisonous to humans or animals. This makes it a great option if you have small children and/or pets running around the house.

Can Mexican Heather Plants grow in Water?

You shouldn’t try growing this plant in water, and it needs to be put in moderately damp soil to survive. You can plant it in the ground outside or a pot if you want to keep it in your home.

How to get Mexican Heather Plants to Flower

The best way to get the Mexican Heather plant to flower is to provide it with plenty of sunlight with a little bit of shade. Make sure that the soil stays damp and drains nicely as well.

Common Mexican Heather Plant Diseases

Root rot is definitely a big problem with the Mexican Heather. This is typically due to over watering or soil that doesn’t drain very well.

There are also spider mites, which can quickly kill one of these plants. You will notice the leaves of the plant turning a yellow or brown color. You can keep these pests from becoming a problem by using a good insecticidal soap.

Conclusion

• The Mexican Heather plant needs to be in direct sunlight, but only about three hours out of each day. It should be in slight shade the rest of the time.
• Anyone who lives in climate zones 9 through 11 can grow this plant as an annual. Those who live in zones 7 or 8 can grow it as a perennial.
• This plant only needs about one inch of water each week. Over watering this plant can quickly lead to root rot.
• When repotting one of these plants, simply slide it out of the container and severe the roots around the rootball.
• Put this plant in well-drained, sandy-loamy soil for the best growth results.
• These plants grow up to 18 inches tall and three feet wide.
• The pink, white or lavender flowers these plants produce are about three inches wide and long.
• Spider mites can be a major concern with these plants. A good insecticidal soap can help with keeping them away.