Heuchera Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 25th Nov 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Heuchera plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Heuchera is renowned for its vibrant and varied foliage colors, ranging from silver to deep burgundy. The plant adds a splash of color to gardens year-round and features delicate bell-shaped flowers on tall stems.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soil and partial shade, although it can tolerate full sun in cooler climates. Regular watering is beneficial, especially in hotter conditions.
- General Care: Low maintenance; occasional deadheading of spent flowers and removal of damaged leaves keep it looking its best. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and protects roots in winter.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Coral Bells is ideal for beginners due to its adaptability and minimal care requirements. Great for adding color and texture to shady areas of the garden.
Alum Root, and Coral Bells: Cultivation & Garden Use
Heuchera are clumpy hardy perennials that range from 15 to 90 cm (6 to 36 inches) in height.
They are treasured for their foliage of bronze, green or silver toothed leaves, and carry flowers atop thin almost wire like stems.
When the Heuchera plant blooms depends on the species, and it may be from anytime from the latter months of spring to the early months of autumn.
Heuchera photograph by Howard Dickins.
Some of the common names for Heuchera include Coral bells and Alum root.
-
Seed Success: Start Strong with this Ultimate Seed Starter Kit
Elevate your gardening game today by securing your Reusable Seed Starter Tray Kit. Get this must-have for any gardening enthusiast on Amazon and give your seedlings the head start they deserve. Embark on your journey to a bountiful harvest with confidence.
-
Garden Mastery: Unleash Your Potential with the Essential Tool Set
Boost your gardening with the CHRYZTAL Gardening Tool Set. Get this essential kit on Amazon for effortless gardening. A good set of tools is key to a thriving garden; make every cut count. Cultivate with ease and watch your garden flourish.
Heuchera Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Alum root, Coral bells.Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 6 to 36 inches (15 to 90 cm).
Native: Northern America.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 10.
Flowers: Species dependent: Late spring and/or summer and/or early autumn.
Flower Details: Red, pink, salmon, white, green. Clusters. Upright inflorescence.
green; plants are grown for their attractive silvery or bronze spearheads.
Foliage: Evergreen. Palmate. Toothed. Scalloped. Attractive silver, bronze, purple or green foliage; variegated.
Sow Outside: Surface. Start of spring or towards the end of autumn. Spacing 9 to 12 inches (23 to 30 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: one week to two months. Temperature: 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C) in the light. Two months in advance. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements and care: Full sunlight (cool areas) or partial shade. Good drainage.
Soil pH 6.0 to 7.0. Fertile soil, light soil. Does not tolerate wet soils. Tidy stems once flowering has completed. Should be divided after three or four years to maintain vigour. When dividing add organic matter in order to enrich soil. Propagate: by dividing in the spring in cooler areas or the autumn in warmer areas.
Miscellaneous: Traditionally used as a tonic to help with digestion by native Americans.
How to Grow Coral Bells and other Heuchera Plants in the Garden
If planning to grow coral bells outdoors from the off, it is best to sow out the seed on the surface in either early spring or late autumn.
Members of the Heuchera plant genus like to grow in partially shaded parts of the garden that have good drainage. Locate into an area with a light and fertile soil. Ideally with a slightly acidic to neutral soil of pH 6 to 7.
If you prefer to first grow Coral bells and other Heuchera members such as Alum root indoors first, then they should be started about two to two and a half months in advance.
They should take from two to eight weeks to germinate at 15 to 21 degrees Celsius (59 to 70°F) in the light.
Once ready they should be transplanted into the garden at a spacing of about 25 cm (10 inches) following the last frost of spring.
Caring for Coral bells and other Heuchera Plant Care
Coral bells are fairly easy to grow and maintain. The flowering stems should be removed once blooming has finished. Mulch is required at the beginning of spring.
The plants need to be divided every four years or so to maintain vigor. If you require more Heuchera plants then divide in the spring.
Common Questions
How many members does the Heuchera genus have?
The Heuchera genus contains 37 species. They are especially admired for their colorful foliage.
Do members of Heuchera make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Definitely! Heuchera, commonly known as Coral Bells, are loved by gardeners for their vibrant leaves and their ability to thrive in shady areas.
Which Heuchera species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
The Heuchera 'Palace Purple' is a popular choice among gardeners due to its unique, dark, purple-hued leaves.
Are members of the Heuchera plant genus fragrant?
While Heuchera are not particularly known for their fragrance, they are highly appreciated for their colorful foliage and delicate, bell-shaped flowers.
What is the perfect location to grow Heuchera?
Heuchera plants prefer part shade to full shade and thrive in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
Is Heuchera invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Currently, Heuchera is not considered invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Heuchera plants from my garden?
To remove Heuchera, dig up the plants carefully, ensuring you remove all roots to prevent re-growth.
Summary
The Heuchera genus, commonly known as coral bells or alumroot, belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. Native to North America, these perennials are admired for their foliage and delicate bell-shaped flowers. Notable species include Heuchera americana and Heuchera sanguinea.
Heuchera prefers partial shade and well-drained, rich soil. Regular watering is needed, but avoid waterlogged conditions. Propagation is typically done by seed or division in the spring or fall.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Heuchera plants. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Muscari, Cardiocrinum plant, and Bulbocodium plants.
Elevate Your Gardening Game
Weekly Growing & Care Guides for Your Inbox!
Find the insights on this site valuable? Then you're going to love my book: 'The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide'.
Upon purchase, receive the eBook in PDF, MOBI (for Kindle), and ePub (most e-readers and iPad) formats. Also available from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, and iBooks.
Genus Index H
