What hardiness zones is Heuchera spp. suitable for?

Heuchera spp. is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Heuchera spp.?

Heuchera spp. requires Part Shade.

How much water does Heuchera spp. need?

Heuchera spp. has Medium water needs.

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Perennials

Heuchera spp.

coral bells

Saxifragaceae

North America; Pacific Coast ranges (H. micrantha, H. maxima), Rocky Mountains, eastern woodlands, and southeastern United States

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitMounding

FoliageEvergreen

Height6–18 inches (15–45 cm); flower stems 12–24 inches (30–60 cm)

Width12–24 inches (30–60 cm)

Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Hummingbirds

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Container Friendly

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

A genus of evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial groundcovers native to North America, grown primarily for their extraordinary foliage — leaves in shades of green, chartreuse, gold, orange, bronze, burgundy, deep purple, near-black, and silver-marbled. Leaves heart-shaped to rounded with shallow lobes, 2–5 inches (5–12.5 cm) across, forming low basal rosettes 6–18 inches (15–45 cm) tall. Wiry stems 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) tall bear loose panicles of tiny bell-shaped flowers in white, cream, pink, or red from May through July, attractive to hummingbirds. Nearly all species native to North America. The vast majority of garden cultivars are complex hybrids derived primarily from H. micrantha, H. sanguinea, H. americana, and H. villosa. Hardy in USDA zones 4–9.

Native Range

Heuchera species are native throughout North America, from the Pacific Coast ranges through the Rocky Mountains, eastern woodlands, and southeastern United States. H. sanguinea (coral bells) is native to Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico; H. americana to eastern North America; H. villosa to the Appalachians.

Suggested Uses

Planted as border edging, groundcover, container specimens, and woodland understory plants at 12–18 inch (30–45 cm) spacing. The extraordinary foliage color range makes Heuchera one of the most design-versatile foliage perennials for Pacific Northwest shade gardens. Effective massed under deciduous trees, as a container thriller-plant, or along shaded pathway edges. Combines well with ferns, hostas, and astilbes.

How to Identify

Identified by the low basal rosettes of heart-shaped to rounded shallowly lobed leaves on long petioles from a thick woody rootstock, and wiry flower stems 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) tall bearing tiny bell-shaped flowers in airy panicles. Garden cultivars display remarkable foliage variation from bright chartreuse to near-black. Distinguished from Tiarella (foamflower) by the larger less deeply cut leaves; from Heucherella (their hybrid) by being a pure Heuchera.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'6"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

cream

pink

red

Foliage Colors

green

purple

bronze

gold

silver

burgundy

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

SpringSummer

Blooms May through July on wiry stems 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) tall bearing loose panicles of tiny nodding bell-shaped flowers 0.25 inch (6 mm) long in white, cream, pink, or red. Attractive to hummingbirds and bees. Many modern foliage-focused cultivars produce modest flower displays — the primary ornamental value is the foliage.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Tiny bell-shaped, 0.25 inch (6 mm) long, in loose airy panicles on wiry stems 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) tall; white, cream, pink, or red depending on cultivar

Foliage Description

Extraordinary range depending on cultivar: green, chartreuse, gold, orange, bronze, burgundy, deep purple, near-black, silver-marbled, or combinations; heart-shaped to rounded, shallowly lobed, 2–5 inches (5–12.5 cm) across

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Full Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2–3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in part shade to full shade in well-drained, humus-rich soil. Most cultivars tolerate full sun in the cool Pacific Northwest but may scorch in hot exposed sites. Space 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart. Water regularly during establishment; moderately drought tolerant once established in shade. Lift and divide every 3–4 years in spring or fall — crowns heave upward over time; replant with the crown at soil level. Remove old tattered foliage in early spring.

Pruning

Remove old and damaged leaves in early spring before new growth emerges — cut individual leaves at the base rather than shearing the plant. Cut flower stems to the base after blooming. Divide when the woody crown lifts noticeably above the soil surface, typically every 3–4 years.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic