Heuchera, also known as coral bells or alum root, is a genus of evergreen perennial plants in the Saxifragaceae family. They are native to North America and are grown for their attractive foliage and colorful flowers. The foliage of Heuchera plants is usually evergreen and comes in a variety of colors, including bronze, purple, green, and silver. The flowers are usually bell-shaped and come in shades of pink, red, white, and yellow. Heuchera plants are low-maintenance and can be grown in containers or in the ground. They are drought-tolerant and thrive in partial to full shade. Heuchera plants are deer-resistant and can be used as ground covers or in borders.
Planning Your Garden With Heuchera
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Heuchera is a perennial. |
| USDA Zone | Heuchera is hardy in USDA Zones 4-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Heuchera is frost tolerant, and can survive temperatures down to 28. |
| Days to harvest | Heuchera typically takes between 60 and 90 days to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown Heuchera plant is 12-18 inches in height and 12-18 inches in width. |
| Spacing requirements | Heuchera plants prefer a spacing of 18 to 24 inches (45-60 cm). |
| Sun tolerance | Heuchera is a shade-loving plant and does not tolerate full sun. It prefers partial shade or filtered sun. |
| Shade tolerance | Heuchera is tolerant of both full sun and partial shade, although it prefers partial shade. It will also tolerate full shade, although it may not flower as profusely in those conditions. |
| Water requirements | Heuchera plants thrive in moist, well-draining soil and benefit from regular watering. During the growing season, water your heuchera plants once or twice a week to keep the soil evenly moist. During the winter months, water your heuchera plants only when the soil is dry to the touch. Too much water can lead to root rot, so be sure to check the soil before watering. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing heuchera depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied at a rate of 1/2 to 1 pound per 100 square feet of soil. If you are using a slow-release fertilizer, apply it at a rate of 1/4 to 1/2 pound per 100 square feet of soil. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing Heuchera is 6.0 to 7.0. |
Why Heuchera is Popular
People like to grow heuchera because of its attractive foliage, wide range of colors, and ease of care. Heuchera is a great choice for a low-maintenance perennial that adds texture and color to the garden. It is also deer-resistant and can be used to create beautiful foliage combinations in the garden.
Companion Plants For Heuchera
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for heuchera include:
Common Pests For Heuchera
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow heuchera, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- snails
- slugs
- aphids
- spider mites
- mealybugs
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
