Evergreen candytuft vs Heather

Evergreen candytuft and Heather are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover, flowers, container, pollinator friendly). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Evergreen candytuft

Iberis sempervirens 25 cm × 45 cm after 10 years

A low, cushion-forming subshrub with dark green, leathery leaves, covered in spring by so many pure white flowers that the foliage almost…

Ground cover

Full sun

Part shade

from about PLN 24

Heather

Calluna vulgaris 40 cm × 50 cm after 10 years

A low evergreen dwarf shrub with tiny scale-like leaves that covers itself in pink, purple, red or white flower spikes from late summer into autumn;…

Ground cover

Full sun

Part shade

from about PLN 9.90

Key differences

Heather grows larger: 40 cm × 50 cm after ten years, against 25 cm × 45 cm for Evergreen candytuft (an estimate: sources differ).
Evergreen candytuft tolerates drought better than Heather.
Evergreen candytuft also takes chalky soil, Heather prefers acidic soil and struggles on chalk.
Evergreen candytuft needs less care than Heather.
Heather is cheaper: about PLN 9.90 at the size usually planted, against about PLN 24 for Evergreen candytuft.

Which one to choose?

Evergreen candytuft is the better choice if space is tight, you cannot water regularly, the soil is chalky or you have little time for care.

Heather is the better choice if price matters.

Watch out for

Evergreen candytuft

It has no serious pests or diseases. Most losses come from crown rot in wet, poorly drained soil, so on heavy ground plant it in a raised or gritty spot. In snowless, windy, sunny winters the evergreen foliage can scorch and thin out; a light cover of conifer branches helps. It can wilt in summer heat and long dry spells and is grateful for watering then. Slugs, snails and caterpillars may chew it.

Heather

In most gardens in Central Europe the limy, heavy soil and hard tap water make it yellow and die quickly unless it is planted in an acidic medium. It copes badly with hot, dry summers: once dried out it does not resprout, while in permanently wet, airless soil stem and root rot kill it. In windy, sunny winter weather without snow cover the foliage can brown. Spider mites and scale insects occur. Potted plants bought for autumn decoration usually last a single season unless they are moved into suitable soil.

The data side by side

Feature	Evergreen candytuft	Heather
Group	Ground cover	Ground cover
Size after 10 years	25 cm × 45 cm	40 cm × 50 cm (uncertain)
Ultimate size	15–30 cm × 15–45 cm	10–60 cm × 30–60 cm
Growth rate	Medium (uncertain)	Medium
Light	Full sun, Part shade	Full sun, Part shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous	Acidic, Sandy
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	Medium (uncertain)	Low
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	April–May, white	July–October, pink, purple, red, white
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Low
Maintenance	Low	Medium
Planting distance	30 cm	35 cm
For dogs	no data	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	approx. PLN 24	approx. PLN 9.90

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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