Heuchera micantha, native heuchera
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Perennials

Heuchera micantha

native heuchera

Saxifragaceae

British Columbia south through Washington, Oregon to California; east to Idaho; moist rocky outcrops, cliff faces, stream banks, and shaded forest edges

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitMounding
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height12-30 inches (30-75 cm) in flower; foliage 6–10 inches (15–25 cm)
Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

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
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Container Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the family Saxifragaceae, native to moist rocky outcrops, cliff faces, stream banks, and shaded forest edges from British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to California, and east to Idaho. Note: the scientific name on this record (Heuchera micantha) appears to be a typographical error — the correct spelling of this PNW native species is Heuchera micrantha, meaning 'small-flowered.' Plants form basal rosettes of rounded, palmately lobed leaves 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) wide with 5–9 shallow lobes, cordate (heart-shaped) bases, and prominent veining; the leaf surface is variably hairy with a soft texture. Foliage is typically medium green with light silvery mottling, though leaf color can vary. From May through July, slender, wiry, hairy stems 12–30 inches (30–75 cm) tall bear loose, airy panicles of numerous tiny, five-petaled white to pinkish flowers 0.08–0.12 inch (2–3 mm) across — the very small individual flower size is the source of the specific epithet micrantha ('small-flowered'). The species is a parent of many widely grown ornamental Heuchera cultivars ('Palace Purple', 'Bressingham Hybrids'). Non-toxic.

Native Range

Native to moist rocky outcrops, cliff faces, stream banks, and shaded forest edges from British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to California, and east to Idaho.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a native woodland groundcover or border edging in shade gardens and rocky woodland plantings at 12–18 inch (30–45 cm) spacing. The airy flower panicles and mounded foliage rosettes provide good textural contrast in shaded borders. Parent species of many popular ornamental Heuchera cultivars — the native species is appropriate for educational plantings demonstrating the origins of modern horticultural selections. Combines with Polystichum munitum, Dryopteris expansa, Oxalis oregana, and Trillium ovatum in PNW shade gardens.

How to Identify

Identified by a basal rosette of rounded, palmately lobed leaves 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) wide with 5–9 shallow lobes, cordate bases, and prominent veining — variably hairy; medium green with occasional silvery mottling. From May–July, slender wiry hairy stems 12–30 inches (30–75 cm) tall bear loose, airy panicles of very small white to pinkish five-petaled flowers 0.08–0.12 inch (2–3 mm) across — the tiny individual flower size is the primary field character and source of the name micrantha ('small-flowered'). Distinguished from Mitella (mitrewort) by the larger leaf rosette and the five-petal (not fringed) flowers; from ornamental Heuchera cultivars by the smaller flowers and less colorful foliage.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'6"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink

Foliage Colors

green
silver

Fall Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks
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SpringSummer
Blooms May through July for 4–6 weeks, producing loose, airy panicles of dozens to hundreds of tiny white to pinkish flowers 0.08–0.12 inch (2–3 mm) across on slender wiry stems 12–30 inches (30–75 cm) tall. The overall effect is a cloud-like haze of delicate flowers above the basal foliage. An important nectar source for native bees and hoverflies. Dried seed capsules persist into fall.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pinkish; very tiny five-petaled flowers 0.08–0.12 inch (2–3 mm) — micrantha means 'small-flowered'; loose airy panicles on wiry hairy stems 12–30 inches; May–July; cloud-like haze effect

Foliage Description

medium green with light silvery mottling; rounded palmately lobed basal leaves 2–4 inches wide, 5–9 shallow lobes, cordate base, prominent veining, variably hairy

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Requires 1-4 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
loamrockysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial to full shade in well-drained to moist, humus-rich, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0. Performs best in the cool, moist conditions of PNW shaded gardens and rocky woodland borders. Tolerates a range of soil moisture from well-drained to periodically moist. Avoid waterlogged soils and hot afternoon sun. Divide congested clumps every 3–4 years in early spring. Mulch lightly to maintain soil moisture and root health. No fertilizer needed.

Pruning

Remove flower stems after bloom if desired. Remove dead or tatty basal leaves in late winter. Divide every 3–4 years in early spring — replant the crown divisions at the same level, discarding the woody center of old clumps.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic