All Erica species are introduced to Australia. Commonly cultivated and sold by nurseries, often escape gardens becoming weedy.
Photos from SGLN’s 2017 weed guide
About Spanish Heath
Erica lusitanica is an erect shrub to 3 m high with numerous pink tinged white flowers in late winter. Seeds capsules are produced after flowering containing numerous fine pepper-like seeds. Each plant can produce up to nine million seeds annually with viability exceeding 50%. The small seeds are spread by wind, dumping of garden plants and slashing. Spanish Heath invades high rainfall areas and is capable of dominating the shrub canopy in bushland areas.
Manual control
Small seedlings can be pulled out, larger plants can be grubbed out but all root material should be removed.
From SGLN’s 2017 weed guide.
Herbicides must be applied at the appropriate rate as specified on the label and all safety precautions followed. If chemical control is necessary near drainage lines or streams, use extreme caution as the effects on aquatic life can be devastating even in minute amounts. Always seek expert advice.
Chemical control notes from SGLN’s 2017 weed guide
Cut and paint with Round Up or Vigilant Gel. Spray when actively growing, August to November. No registered chemical in Victoria. Starane 200 can be used under off label* legislation. Always check the herbicide label before use.
These notes are from 2017, and some information, particularly herbicide information, may be out of date. Please ask local suppliers and do your own research in selecting herbicides if choosing chemical control.
Family, origin, type, plant instead, control methods and the note above are from SGLN’s pocket guide Common weeds of South Gippsland (2026).
