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Heucheras: Planting, Growing and Care
Choosing Planting

Heucheras: Planting, Growing and Care

Contents

Modified the 3 January 2024  by Alexandra 17 min.

Heucheras in a few words

  • Heuchera is the best perennial for colourful foliage! Its evergreen or semi-evergreen leaves remain decorative for at least nine months of the year.
  • It thrives in shady areas and tolerates dry shade well! Some varieties, like Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’, can also handle direct sunlight.
  • Its foliage offers the greatest diversity of colours: you’ll find every hue of the rainbow except blue!
  • In summer, it produces airy white, pink or red blooms that add lightness to flower beds!
  • Versatile, it suits various uses: plant it as a border, ground cover, in container arrangements, or even in rock gardens.
  • It is hardy and requires little maintenance.
Difficulty

Our Expert's Word

Valued for its highly decorative foliage that lasts a long time, the heuchera is a perennial plant that brings colour to the garden almost all year round! The evergreen varieties remain decorative even in the depths of winter. It’s an excellent solution for brightening up shady gardens or dressing the base of trees and shrubs. Its ethereal and delicate flowering has earned it the nickname “painter’s despair“. The blooms appear in summer, often in white tones, but can also be pink or red.

Long out of fashion, they made a grand comeback in the 1980s with the arrival of new horticultural varieties, completely renewing their colour range. Today, they come in the most varied shades: from deep purple to bright golden yellow, through red, orange or silver, even extending to pink. They never cease to amaze us with their exceptional colours!

Very hardy, heuchera is easy to grow and requires little maintenance. It thrives in cool, rich and humus-rich soils. Although it can be planted in open ground, don’t hesitate to grow it in pots or planters to create charming compositions, paired with small perennials, bulbs or ornamental grasses. Position it preferably in partial shade, as it dislikes intense heat and direct sunlight could scorch its foliage… This precaution is essential for varieties with light tones, green or yellow, which are much more delicate to grow! Conversely, purple-leaved varieties are the hardiest and can tolerate full sun.

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Botany

Botanical data

  • Latin name Heuchera sp.
  • Family Saxifragaceae
  • Common name Coral Bells
  • Flowering Between May and July
  • Height 40 to 50 cm. Up to 80 cm when flowering.
  • Exposure Shade, partial shade
  • Soil type Rich, humus-rich, moist, well-drained
  • Hardiness Between -15 and -20°C

Coral Bells are perennial plants native to North America, where they are mainly found in mountainous regions. There are no fewer than 55 species and hundreds of varieties. Their very airy flowering, with a multitude of tiny flowers, has earned them the nickname “Painter’s Despair“.

The Heuchera takes its name from the German physician and botanist Johann Heinrich von Heucher (1677-1747). Very fashionable in the 19th century, then fallen into oblivion, it was rediscovered in the 1980s with the appearance of purple-leaved varieties. This was followed by a multitude of hybridisations giving rise to the most varied hues.

It belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. This family includes nearly 600 species of herbaceous plants, including Astilbes, Bergenias and of course Saxifrages. Coral Bells are very close to Tiarella, with which they hybridise to produce Heucherella. They are also cousins of Tellima and Tolmiea, two ground-covering perennials prized for their foliage.

Coral Bells foliage colours

The diversity of Coral Bells foliage!

Coral Bells are rather low-growing plants: they will find their place at the front of borders. They generally measure 40 to 50 cm in height, and up to 80 cm when flowering. They grow in clumps or have a spreading habit, making them ideal for use as ground cover. They form rhizomes, on which new clumps develop around the original plant. They are easy to propagate by dividing these clumps!

The leaves of Coral Bells come in an incredibly diverse range of colours! They can take on red or orange hues, reminiscent of the fiery foliage of autumn, for example Heuchera ‘Marmalade’. They can also evoke the freshness of young spring shoots, with a bright green, luminous: this is the case of Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’, with its almost fluorescent green leaves! They can also take on very dark shades, like Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ with its almost black foliage, or very bright colours, orange like Heuchera ‘Tiramisu’ or golden yellow like Heuchera ‘Citronelle’. They can also be purple, coppery or have silvery reflections. Anything seems possible in terms of colours!

The leaves of Coral Bells have soft shapes with rather rounded edges. The leaf edges are sometimes wavy, giving them a crumpled appearance and allowing both sides of the leaves to be seen at the same time, often in different colours. In some varieties they are bicoloured or edged with a border, like Heuchera ‘Beauty Color’. The veins, often very pronounced, sometimes create a contrast and give a superb marbled effect!

 

Their foliage can take on different shades depending on the exposure. As a general rule, the same variety will have a slightly different colour depending on whether it is planted in sun or shade! The colours also change according to the season, as with Heuchera ‘Peach Flambé’, whose leaves are peach-coloured in spring, then turn red, before becoming purple in winter.

Coral Bells flowers

Coral Bells inflorescence

Coral Bells flower in summer, between May and July, sometimes until August. Generally speaking, they are now grown more for their foliage than for their flowers! Heucherella, resulting from crosses between Coral Bells and Tiarella, have more significant flowering, with upright white or pink spikes. However, Heuchera sanguinea ‘Leuchtkäfer’ offers a charming scarlet red flowering!

The inflorescences of Coral Bells consist of a multitude of small bells arranged on an upright stem. This gives them a very airy and ethereal appearance. They are often cream-white in colour, but can also be pink or red. This is the case with Heuchera ‘Pluie de Feu’, which is particularly appreciated for its flamboyant flowering!

Coral Bells are good nectar plants, their flowers are visited by bees, butterflies, hoverflies and hummingbird moths. And they can also be used in bouquets.

 

The fruit of the Coral Bells is not very ornamental. They are small capsules ending in fine points, containing numerous tiny brown seeds.

Botanical species

  • Heuchera americana

Native to the eastern United States and Canada, this species has evergreen foliage, green with silvery reflections. It has given rise to many varieties. It dislikes heat and drought, plant it in the shade!

  • Heuchera sanguinea

This species is remarkable for its splendid bright red flowering, which lasts a long time! Its green, rounded leaves are more ordinary. It does not like humidity, but tolerates full sun and calcareous soils.

  • Heuchera micrantha

Native to the west coast of the United States, where it grows on cliffs and rocky slopes. Its green leaves can take on reddish or purple hues. It is this species that gave rise to the purple and dark-leaved varieties! It tolerates moist soils well.

The main varieties of heucheras

Most Popular Varieties:
Our Favourite Varieties:
Other Varieties to Discover:
Heuchera villosa Caramel

Heuchera villosa Caramel

Very popular, this is our star variety! It bears evergreen leaves in orange-brown hues that develop more or less intense tones. They are purple on the underside. It will bring a soft, luminous touch to your flower beds. It produces white flowers.
  • Flowering time July, August
  • Height at maturity 50 cm
Hesperis matronalis var. albiflora Alba Plena

Hesperis matronalis var. albiflora Alba Plena

This was the first variety to feature purple foliage! Its palmate leaves with sharp angles resemble those of maples. Their very dark, almost black hue beautifully contrasts with the creamy white flowers!
  • Flowering time July, August
  • Height at maturity 50 cm
Heuchera Berry Smoothie

Heuchera Berry Smoothie

This variety will charm you with its vibrant colours! It bears evergreen leaves in pinkish-purple tones. It has a spreading habit—perfect as ground cover! It produces small white flowers in May and June, which can be used in bouquets. It tolerates heat well.
  • Flowering time July, August
  • Height at maturity 45 cm
Heuchera Green Spice

Heuchera Green Spice

This heuchera boasts strikingly contrasted foliage! The leaves are silvery grey-green with deep purple veins, creating a stunning effect. It turns beautiful orange hues in autumn and has a delicate white-pink bloom. Plant it in shade!
  • Flowering time June, July
  • Height at maturity 40 cm
Heuchera Georgia Plum

Heuchera Georgia Plum

This vigorous variety has purplish-pink leaves with subtle silvery highlights and plum-coloured veins. Their shade changes with the seasons! It produces delicate pale pink flowers. It is resistant to heat, drought, and humidity. Derived from the 'Georgia Peach' variety, it is more compact.
  • Flowering time July, August
  • Height at maturity 30 cm
Heuchera Lime Rickey

Heuchera Lime Rickey

This fresh-coloured variety needs protection from direct sunlight! Plant it in shade or partial shade—its bright green-yellow foliage will bring luminosity. It produces white flowers and is a vigorous grower!
  • Flowering time July, August
  • Height at maturity 50 cm
Heuchera micrantha Marmalade

Heuchera micrantha Marmalade

This heuchera has stunning flamboyant foliage in yellow-orange-red tones! The amber-coloured leaves have wavy edges, highlighting their pinkish-red undersides. A robust variety, it tolerates both sun and shade. It is larger than most species.
  • Flowering time July, August
  • Height at maturity 35 cm
Heuchera Obsidian

Heuchera Obsidian

This heuchera has very dark, almost black foliage! Vigorous and adaptable, it thrives in varied growing conditions. Even in full sun and winter, it retains its intense black colour.
  • Flowering time July, August
  • Height at maturity 30 cm
Heuchera Prince of Silver

Heuchera Prince of Silver

This variety has gorgeous silvery-purple foliage with prominent dark veins. It produces creamy-white flowers. Pair it with plants in cool, soft tones!
  • Flowering time June to August
  • Height at maturity 35 cm
Heucherella Solar Eclipse

Heucherella Solar Eclipse

This variety stands out for the striking contrast between its light green leaf edges and deep purple centres. A Heucherella, it is a cross between a Heuchera and a Tiarella—a perennial prized for its decorative foliage and delicate white-pink blooms.
  • Flowering time June, July
  • Height at maturity 35 cm
Heuchera sanguinea 'Leuchtkäfer'

Heuchera sanguinea 'Leuchtkäfer'

This variety is distinguished by its vibrant red blooms! It flowers abundantly in summer, with clusters of bright red panicles. Its evergreen leaves are more ordinary—green marbled with creamy white. It tolerates chalky soil and direct sun.
  • Flowering time July, August
  • Height at maturity 60 cm
Heuchera Georgia Peach

Heuchera Georgia Peach

This lovely variety, with large peach-coloured leaves, will add dynamism to your flower beds! It tolerates heat and humidity well. It makes a stunning display at the front of a border or in a planter.
  • Flowering time July, August
  • Height at maturity 60 cm
Heucherella Honey Rose

Heucherella Honey Rose

This variety has beautiful foliage that changes colour with the seasons. Its elegantly scalloped leaves transition from purplish-pink to honey tones in summer.
  • Flowering time July to September
  • Height at maturity 35 cm
Heuchera Chocolate Ruffle

Heuchera Chocolate Ruffle

A vigorous variety with very dark chocolate-coloured foliage. The wavy-edged leaves have a crinkled appearance, revealing purple undersides. It produces subtle white flowers and tolerates full sun!
  • Flowering time July, August
  • Height at maturity 30 cm
Heuchera hybrida Little Cuties Sweet Tart

Heuchera hybrida Little Cuties Sweet Tart

This compact variety has sparkling, luminous colours—perfect for brightening a flower bed! It produces pink flowers and light green-yellow foliage with rounded edges. Plant in partial shade and moist soil.
  • Flowering time June to November
  • Height at maturity 25 cm
Heuchera Plum Royale

Heuchera Plum Royale

Heuchera 'Plum Royale' has deep violet-purple foliage with silvery highlights—an unusual yet intense shade that enhances brighter plants. Its white flowers create a striking contrast with the leaves.
  • Flowering time July, August
  • Height at maturity 35 cm

Discover other Heuchera

View all varieties →

Planting heucheras

Where to plant?

You can plant your heucheras in the ground or in pots. They thrive in rich, humusy, moist and well-drained soils. Avoid heavy or clay soils, or improve drainage by adding gravel or clay pebbles. Plant them in soil that doesn’t dry out too much in summer. They are not very sensitive to soil pH.

Place them in shade or partial shade, sheltered from excessive heat and direct sunlight—especially if you choose varieties with light foliage, such as Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’! Sunlight could scorch their leaves. Purple or dark-leaved varieties tolerate it much better, like Heuchera ‘Obsidian’. Varieties descended from Heuchera villosa (such as Heuchera ‘Berry Smoothie’) are quite robust and cope well with heat and drought. Those from Heuchera sanguinea, like the ‘Leuchtkäfer’ variety, dislike moisture but tolerate chalky soils and full sun!

When to plant?

You can plant heucheras in autumn or spring.

How to plant?

Planting heucheras is quite simple. By following a few key steps, you can easily establish them in your garden:

  • Choose a suitable spot in light soil and partial shade
  • If your soil is heavy, add leaf mould or pumice to lighten it
  • You can also mix in compost to enrich the soil
  • Don’t hesitate to bury the basal stem when planting

 

Planting in the ground:

Space plants at least 40 centimetres apart.

Soak the rootball by placing it in a basin of water to help the plant establish. Dig a planting hole about twice the size of the rootball. Ensure the soil is well-drained, as heucheras dislike waterlogging! If the soil is clayey, add a layer of gravel or pumice. Mix in a few handfuls of compost to enrich the soil. Position the rootball and backfill, burying the bare basal stem. Gently firm the soil and water. We recommend mulching around the plant to keep the soil cool.

 

Planting in pots:

Heucheras are ideal for container growing! Choose a fairly wide and deep pot. Start by soaking the rootball in water for a few minutes. Drain the pot’s base with gravel, clay pebbles, or broken pottery. Add the growing medium (compost mixed with a little sand) and position the plant, slightly burying the base of the stem. Top up with more medium to level the soil. Gently firm, water, then place the pot in partial shade, sheltered from direct sun. For a striking display in a wide container, we suggest positioning heucheras near the edge—their foliage will elegantly spill over the sides!

→ Learn more with our guide: Growing Heucheras in Pots

Heuchera Marmalade

Heuchera Marmalade in a pot

Maintenance

Heucheras are fairly resistant to diseases and pests. When grown in pots, they may occasionally be attacked by the Vine Weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus). The larvae feed on the roots, while the adults target the leaves. Unfortunately, their presence is not easy to detect. Inspect the leaves—adults nibble on the edges! To eliminate them, use nematodes, which will take care of the larvae in the soil. As a preventive measure, we recommend mulching around the base of your heucheras—this makes it harder for adult weevils to lay eggs in the soil. Remove affected plants, and if grown in pots, replace the compost. If planted in the ground, birds will eat the larvae, so there’s no need to worry!

Heucheras thrive in moist soil—apply a layer of mulch around their base to prevent the soil from drying out! Keeping the soil moist for heucheras grown in full sun will reduce the risk of leaf scorch. Plus, mulching will enhance the colours of their foliage! Water heucheras during summer, especially in prolonged dry spells.

Heucheras appreciate rich soil—add a few handfuls of compost around their base in spring or autumn. In early spring (March–April), trim away old, dried leaves. In summer, regularly remove spent flowers. Heucheras are hardy and do not require winter protection.

A few years after planting, heucheras may decline, becoming less attractive and growing more slowly. They develop a woody stem, and the base of the clump may thin out. We recommend rejuvenating them every three to five years in autumn. Lift them and replant the younger sections, positioning the crown (base of the leaves) just at soil level. Firm the soil around the plant and water. Take the opportunity to divide them and propagate new plants!

Propagating Heucheras

Heucheras are easy to propagate by cuttings or by division. You can also grow them from seed, but the resulting plants may not be identical to the parent plant! As heucheras tend to weaken after a few years, regularly dividing and taking cuttings (ideally every three years) will help you obtain more vigorous young plants!

Division

Divide the largest clumps, preferably in autumn, around October. Heucheras naturally spread by producing creeping rhizomes, which form new clumps around the main plant. To propagate them, simply detach these by cutting them with secateurs, remove any damaged leaves, and replant the healthiest clumps in pots filled with compost, burying them slightly. Water them and place them in a bright, sheltered spot to overwinter. In spring, you can plant them out in the garden.

Cuttings

Take cuttings from your heucheras in autumn! Start by preparing a pot filled with compost (ideally a mix of potting soil and ericaceous compost). Choose a plant that is a few years old and has developed a woody stem. Take a stem cutting by cutting it at the base with a knife, keeping at least five or six centimetres. Remove older leaves, leaving just two or three young leaves at the centre of the rosette. Replant it, pushing it deep enough into the compost. Gently firm the soil around the stem and water. Place the pot in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight.

Continue watering, but sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. You can plant them in their final position in spring.

Finally, check out our video: How to Propagate Heucheras with Olivier:

Association

With their evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage, heucheras bring colour to flower beds practically all year round! You can use them as ground cover at the base of trees and shrubs, at the front of borders, in rock gardens, or even in pots or planters. Plant them in groups of at least three or five plants and mix varieties to create a vibrant effect!

Varieties with dark foliage have a knack for making the brilliance of bright blooms stand out! For example, use Heuchera ‘Chocolate Ruffles’ to highlight the intense orange hue of Tulipa ‘Orange Princess’.

Similarly, play with colours by designing a purple and anise garden! The golden tones of Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ and Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ will accentuate the deep purple foliage of Heuchera ‘Velvet Night’ to create a striking contrast! The result will be an original and impressive display.

Because they thrive in partial shade and moist soil, don’t hesitate to plant heucheras at the edge of woodland, alongside ferns, hostas, and a few flowers—such as hardy geraniums or bluebells. You’ll achieve a garden with a very natural style!

Let your creativity flow and create charming floral arrangements by pairing them with small perennials, bulbs, or ornamental grasses. The possible combinations are endless!

Purple and anise garden

A purple and anise garden featuring Heuchera ‘Velvet Night’! Copyright GAP Photos Elke Borkowski

For more inspiration, check out our article: “Heuchera: 7 Successful Planting Combinations

Useful resources

Frequently asked questions

  • My heuchera isn't growing! What should I do?

    If it's a few years old, it will need rejuvenating! Heucheras become exhausted and less beautiful and vigorous over time. Divide the clumps every three to five years. In autumn, dig them up and replant the younger clumps.

  • My heuchera is turning yellow and wilting despite my care! What should I do?

    Your plant is likely under attack by vine weevils. The larvae feed on the roots of pot-grown heucheras! Check for their presence - look for notched leaf edges (damage caused by adult vine weevils) and if necessary, dig up a plant to inspect its roots. If vine weevils are present, treat with nematodes.

  • The leaves of my heuchera look scorched!

    This occurs when heucheras are exposed to direct sunlight, particularly with light-toned varieties such as Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’. Dark-leaved varieties cope better with full sun. As a general rule, plant your heucheras preferably in partial shade! Additionally, prolonged drought makes heucheras more susceptible to leaf scorch. They tolerate sun better when the soil remains cool. Don’t hesitate to add a layer of mulch around their base!

  • The leaves of my heuchera appear to have been eaten!

    These are most likely vine weevils. They are the main enemy of heucheras! The adults notch the leaves into lace-like patterns by eating the edges. Unfortunately, the most serious damage is caused by the larvae, which feed on the plant's roots. You may want to dig up a plant to check the condition of its roots. Remove the most infested plants. Dig them up and keep only the healthy offshoots.

    We recommend a solution based on nematodes (biological control). These microscopic worms parasitise vine weevil larvae. They come in a solution (powder) to be diluted in water and sprayed onto moist soil in spring or summer. This type of nematode is harmless to plants, unlike foliar nematodes, another type of nematode that can attack heucheras.

  • The leaves of my heuchera are discolouring between the veins!

    The culprit is likely the foliar nematode. These are harmful nematodes that parasitise the plant by entering its leaves and stems. Remove the infested parts and limit watering as they thrive in moist conditions. Plant French marigolds - they repel them! If your heuchera is in a pot, repot it in fresh, healthy compost. You can also spray with a pyrethrum-based solution.

  • My heuchera has a slightly different colour than expected!

    If the difference is quite limited, that's normal - heucheras tend to take on different hues depending on whether they're placed in shade, partial shade or full sun. Additionally, the foliage of some varieties changes throughout the seasons. If your heuchera isn't looking its best, don't hesitate to move it to a more suitable spot that better suits its needs, whether that's sunnier or more shaded.