Pernettya mucronata (Prickly Heath)

Pernettya mucronata (Prickly Heath) with many round red berries and dark green small leaves
Pernettya mucronata (Prickly Heath) with small green leaves and round red berries in container.

Botanical names: Pernettya mucronata, Pernettya rupicola, Gaultheria mucronata

Common name: Prickly Heath

Family: Ericaceae

Origin: Argentina

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 7-9

Small plant 2-5 ftPlant form: Small
Plant mature sizeMature height: 2-5 ft
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Subtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeCold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Watering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Regular; moderate
White, off-white flowersFlower color: White and off-white
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Flood tolerant plantFlood tolerance: High
Invasive plantInvasive: Can spread quickly, needs control

It is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with leaves that are glossy green most of the year, occasionally bronzy in winter. It bears small white to pink bell-shaped flowers. The fruits vary in color depending on the cultivar, these fruits are the main reason this shrub is an outstanding beauty.

There are varieties with pink berries, white berries, lilac berries, the brightest conceivable glistening red berries. These develop in summer following the blooming period and they persist through autumn and winter. When it blooms in May, it still has a good load of the previous year's red berries on all the branches.

Pernettya prefers sun to part shade, loamy acidic soil, it has a higher than average water need so can even tolerate swampy conditions, yet once established will not suffer too much from occasional short periods of drought. It is hardy in a wide temperature range and is not subject to wind-burn.

Similar plants: Pernettya mucronata (Prickly Heath)


Pernettya mucronata (Prickly Heath) white fruit on green leafy plant close up
Pernettya mucronata (Prickly Heath) with rounded white fruit tucked among small pointed green leaves.
Pernettya mucronata (Prickly Heath) pink fruit on a plant close up
Pernettya mucronata (Prickly Heath) with pink round fruit nestled among small pointed green leaves.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/pernettya_mucronata.htm
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