This Erica is easily grown from fresh seed, which is best sown in late summer or autumn. Germination is greatly enhanced by the application of smoke which mimics the conditions in nature. Seed is sown onto a well-drained, slightly acidic growing medium consisting of a combination of river sand and well-decomposed pine needle compost or pine bark in roughly equal proportions. Seed germinates in about 6 weeks, emerging as tiny, delicate plantlets that must be lightly watered with a watering can. Let the seedlings grow to about 10 mm tall before pricking them out into small individual pots. Young seedlings are encouraged to grow by feeding them every week with a diluted organic fertilizer. Seedlings grow slowly and will only be big enough after twelve months, when they may be planted into the garden. It is advisable to plant out during the cooler autumn or early winter months to allow the plants to establish before the onset of summer.

It is also easily rooted from cuttings, preferably in autumn or spring, in multi-trays on heated benches under mist spray. Select small tip or heel cuttings about 20–30 mm long, taking thin wood from the previous season’s growth. Heel cuttings are preferred where a short side shoot is removed from the stem. The base of the cutting is treated with a rooting hormone for semi-hardwood cuttings, which are then placed into a rooting medium of 50:50 fine-milled bark and polystyrene pellets.

In the garden it will require a good watering once a week during summer months. This species should provide a good show for at least 10 years and probably many more after that.

Erica glandulosa subsp. breviflora can also be grown in a large container, providing that the correct, well-draining growing medium is provided. Fynbos planting medium is made up of a combination of equal parts composted pine bark or pine needles and river sand. A little (20%) loam may also be added. It is a woody species, so regular pruning is recommended to keep the plants well branched and compact. Plants that are pruned are more presentable, last longer and produce more flowers.

Erica plants are adapted to living in poor soils, but, for best results, should be regularly fed with diluted organic liquid or small amounts of organic pellet fertilizers that are low in phosphorus.