How to Grow Hebes - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team / 2024

Hebes is a beautiful plant that is perfect for adding a splash of color to your garden. They are easy to care for and are low maintenance, making them a great choice for beginners.

Also known as

Wooly-leaved hebe: This name is used to describe hebes that have leaves that are covered in soft, white hairs.
Bee-friendly hebe: There are some hebe species that are attractive to bees and other pollinators.
Evergreen hebe: These hebes keep their leaves year-round, providing color and interest in the winter landscape.
Variegated hebe: These plants have leaves with variegated, or multi-colored, patterns.
Hedge hebe: Some hebes are commonly used as hedges or foundation plants.

Basic info

Hebes are a genus of evergreen shrubs native to New Zealand.
There are about 80 species of Hebes.
Hebes are grown for their ornamental value and are used in gardens and parks.
They are typically low-maintenance plants and are tolerant of poor soils.
Hebes can be either deciduous or evergreen, depending on the species.
The leaves of Hebes are typically dark green and glossy.
The flowers of Hebes are usually white or pale pink and borne in clusters.
Hebes are relatively slow-growing plants but can reach heights of up to 2 metres.
Hebes are generally pest- and disease-free.
Hebes are propagated from cuttings or by division.

Planting Process

For hebes, first step is to find a location that has well-drained soil and receives full sun to partial shade.
Then, dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the hebes root ball.
Place the hebe in the hole and backfill with soil, tamping down lightly as you go.
Water the hebe deeply and thoroughly.
Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around the hebe, but be sure to keep it several inches away from the plants stem.
Hebes need minimal pruning, but you can trim them back after blooming if necessary.
These plants are relatively drought tolerant once they are established, but they will perform best with regular watering during dry spells.
Fertilize hebes once or twice a year with a balanced fertilizer.
Hebes are generally pest and disease free, but keep an eye out for scale, aphids, and powdery mildew.
These plants can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or division.

Soil Requirement

About soil , it is very important for the growth of hebes. They like soil that is well-drained and not too dry. They also need soil that is high in organic matter and rich in nutrients. Hebes need full sun to partial shade and do not like to be in areas that are too windy.

Light requirement

Like the other succulents, hebes need lots of sun to grow and stay healthy. If you live in a cold climate, make sure to place your hebe near a south-facing window. If you live in a hot climate, give your hebe some afternoon shade to prevent it from getting too much sun.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition in Hebes is very hot. The average temperature is around 33 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature ever recorded in Hebes was 54.4 degrees Celsius. The hot weather is caused by the Hebes Desert. The desert is a very dry and hot place.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50-70%. It should be watered when the soil feels dry to the touch, and the leaves should be misted regularly. the plant will benefit from being placed in a pebble tray or humidifier.

The Fertilizer

Regarding fertilizer, usually the plant will take what it needs from the soil. If the plant is not getting enough, then you might see yellowing leaves (from a lack of nitrogen) or slow growth. If you think your plant might need fertilizer, you can try a slow-release fertilizer or compost tea. As for the roots, if the plant is getting too much water, the roots will rot. If the roots are dry, the plant will wilt. The best way to check on the roots is to look at the base of the plant.

About light

Pruning is a vital part of keeping your hebes healthy and looking their best. It's important to know when and how to prune hebes, as well as which tools to use. The best time to prune hebes is in late spring or early summer, after the plants have bloomed. You can prune hebes to control their size and shape, as well as to remove damaged or diseased branches. The best way to prune hebes is with sharp, clean pruning shears. make sure to cut just above a node, or leaf joint. This will help encourage new growth. When pruning hebes, always think about the plant's natural shape. You don't want to prune too much, as this can damage the plant. A little pruning goes a long way!

Plant Propagation

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from existing ones. Hebes are relatively easy to propagate from cuttings taken from new growth in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be around 10-15cm in length and taken from non-flowering shoots. Make sure to remove any leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and dip the end into rooting hormone before potting into a free-draining propagating mix. Keep the mix moist but not wet and place in a warm, light spot out of direct sunlight. Rooting should occur within 4-6 weeks at which point you can pot the Hebes into individual pots and grow on.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the weather and the climate. In warmer climates, hebes can grow quite rapidly and may even flower in their first year. However, in cooler climates, hebes will take a little longer to grow and may not flower as often.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot. Powdery mildew is a white or gray powdery growth on the leaves and stems. It can eventually kill the plant. Rust is a red or orange powdery growth on the leaves and stems. It can also eventually kill the plant. Leaf spot is small brown or black spots on the leaves. It does not usually kill the plant, but it can make it look unhealthy.

List to Know

Do not forget to water your plants regularly. They need to be kept moist, but not wet.
Place your plants in an area with plenty of sunlight.
Use a well-draining potting mix.
Fertilize your plants every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
Cut back your plants regularly to encourage new growth.
Avoid planting in extremely cold or hot weather.
When transplanting, make sure to disturb the roots as little as possible.
In the winter, protect your plants from harsh winds and freezing temperatures.
Check for pests and diseases regularly and treat them accordingly.
With proper care, your hebes will thrive and provide you with years of enjoyment!