How to Grow Heuchera: Complete UK Care Guide

Heuchera, sometimes called coral bells, is grown primarily for its rounded, lobed evergreen foliage, available in shades from lime green and amber to deep purple and near-black, with tiny bell-shaped flowers held on wiry stems in early summer. Leaf colour intensity depends heavily on light levels, and plants are equally at home in borders or containers. The main pest to watch for is vine weevil, whose grubs can quietly destroy the root system over winter.

Attribute	Detail
Botanical name	Heuchera x hybrida and cultivars
Plant type	Evergreen herbaceous perennial
Height & spread	20–45cm tall, 30–45cm spread
Hardiness	RHS H5 (hardy in most UK regions)
Position	Full sun to partial shade, depending on variety
Soil	Moist but well-drained, humus-rich
Flowering period	May to July (grown mainly for foliage)
Difficulty	Easy

Choosing varieties

Heuchera cultivars vary enormously in leaf colour, so it helps to consider the light levels in your garden before choosing.

Variety	Leaf colour	Best light	Notes
Heuchera 'Palace Purple'	Deep purple-bronze	Sun to light shade	Reliable, vigorous, RHS Award of Garden Merit
Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade'	Lime green	Partial shade	Colour can scorch in strong sun
Heuchera 'Caramel'	Amber-orange	Partial shade	Warm tones, good container plant
Heuchera 'Obsidian'	Near-black purple	Full sun	Colours darkest with more light
Heuchera 'Marmalade'	Copper-orange	Partial shade	Bright autumn and winter colour

Where and when to plant

Plant heuchera in spring or autumn, choosing a spot to match the variety: darker, purple-leaved forms generally colour better with more sun, while lime and gold cultivars often prefer partial shade to avoid leaf scorch. It works well at the front of borders or as edging. Explore more planting combinations in our plants and seasonal guide sections.

How to plant heuchera

1. Choose a position with light levels suited to the variety's leaf colour.
2. Improve soil with well-rotted organic matter if light or free-draining.
3. Dig a hole a little larger than the root ball.
4. Plant with the crown at or just above soil level, as heuchera dislikes deep planting.
5. Backfill, firm gently and water in well.
6. Space plants around 30cm apart to allow foliage to spread.

Watering and feeding

Water regularly while plants establish, then water during dry spells, as heuchera dislikes both drought and waterlogging. Apply a balanced liquid feed in spring and early summer to support strong foliage colour, feeding container-grown plants slightly more often through the growing season.

Cutting back and deadheading

Remove faded flower stems once they finish blooming to keep plants tidy. In spring, trim away any tatty or damaged leaves from winter weather, and lightly tidy the crown to encourage fresh new foliage to emerge.

Dividing and propagation

Heuchera crowns become woody and can lift out of the soil over a few years, reducing vigour. Divide congested clumps every three years or so in spring, discarding old woody centres and replanting healthy young sections slightly higher in refreshed soil, level with the crown.

Growing in pots

Heuchera is one of the best perennials for containers, giving colour and structure through every season. Use a peat-free, loam-based compost with added grit for drainage, and choose a pot at least 25cm in diameter. Position according to the variety's light needs and refresh the top layer of compost each spring.

Common problems

Problem	Symptom	Fix
Vine weevil	Notched leaves in summer; sudden wilting from root damage in autumn	Check compost for grubs, use biological nematode controls in late summer
Leaf scorch	Bleached or browned patches on lime and gold varieties	Move to a position with more shade or dappled light
Rust	Orange pustules on leaf undersides	Remove affected leaves and improve air circulation
Crown lifting	Woody base pushed above soil level	Divide and replant with crown level with soil surface

Month-by-month care calendar

Month	Task
March	Tidy winter-damaged foliage; divide congested clumps
April	Plant new heuchera; begin light feeding
May	Watch for early vine weevil notching
June	Flowering; deadhead spent stems
July	Continue feeding container plants
August	Apply nematodes for vine weevil control
September	Check root health if plants look stressed
October	Reduce feeding as growth slows
November	Remove fallen leaves from crowns
December	Protect containers from waterlogging
January	Plan new colour combinations
February	Prepare soil ahead of spring planting