Heliotrope
Heliotropium arborescens
Also called Cherry pie and Heliotropium
Garden plant · BeddingIT SMELLS OF MARZIPAN OR CHERRY PIE and the old varieties smell strongest — the modern dark-leaved ones were bred for colour and several have almost no scent. Buy it in flower and put your nose in it first.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 5 daysKeep it moist — water at the first hint of dryness — don't wait for a dry pot.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Feed
- Every 21 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Tender — no frost at all RHS H2, to 1°C
- Size
- 0.5 m tall · 0.5 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- Peru
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects horses. Signs: liver damage in horses grazing it over time. ASPCA names no effect in dogs or cats.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-22.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.