‘Paprika’ Coral Bells in the garden.
Planting, Growing, and Caring for Coral Bell Foliage Plants
The Almanac Garden Planner - Use It Free for 7 Days!
Plan your 2025 garden with our award-winning Garden Planner.
Unlike most flowers, the real star of Coral Bells is its color foliage! Native to America, this popular perennial plant is rabbit- and deer-resistant—and grows in both shady and sunny spots. See how to grow and care for coral bells.
About Heucheras
Coral bells are small, mounding, evergreen perennials that grow in warm climates and semi-evergreen in colder locations. The Genus name Heuchera comes from Johann von Heucher, a physician and botanist in the 18th century. The original uses for this plant were medicinal, but now the plant is a very popular, versatile ornamental plant.
A member of the Saxifragaceae family, this foliage plant is naturally found in fairly rocky or acidic areas. They are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9 and are tolerant of a wide range of light and soil conditions. Corral Bells have a tidy habit that mixes well into any landscape, whether used as ground cover, border plants, or container specimens.
Most Heuchera grow 6 to 12 inches tall and 1 to 3 feet wide; hybridization is common. Some cultivars flower in the spring or summer tiny “bells” that attract hummingbirds and pollinators. However, coral bells are best known for their colorful leaves, which grow from mounded rosettes. Foliage, which emerges from a dense spiral, can be ruffled or smooth in many shades, from neon lime to pinks, burgundies, purple, and almost black. Many varieties have multicolored leaves.
Gardeners find them to be deer- and rabbit-resistant. The leaves are astringent, meaning they taste bad, and are often left alone after a quick taste test. Coral bells could be a good substitute for hostas if your yard suffers significant deer problems. Of course, in a pinch, deer eat anything.
Planting
Where to Plant
Coral can be planted in partial sun to full shade. Colors and size will be best if they receive 4 to 6 hours of gentle sunlight. Lighter-colored heucheras and darker-colored plants will not tolerate hot sun. Pick a shadier spot for those lime green or pink plants. Gardeners at the southern end of this plant’s range should choose a location sheltered from all afternoon sun. If your coral bell leaves are bleached or browning at the tips, it might get too much sun.
These plants will do best in rich, moist, well-draining soil but can tolerate clayey and stony soils. Amend or make a berm if your soil is heavy clay. While they like evenly moist soil, they are somewhat drought tolerant once established as long as they are in the shade.
In the landscape, heucheras mix well with other shade-loving plants. For shady garden beds, match them with hostas, astilbes, ferns, and hellebores. Mix them in a partially sunny spot with your geraniums, ornamental grasses, and daylilies. They look best planted in small groups. As they’re on the small side, plant towards the front of a border garden.
When to Plant
Heucheras can be planted or transplanted in spring or fall. If fall planting, try to get them in the ground at least six weeks before the ground freezes to give them a chance to establish.
In spring, plant them outside after the last frost date. They’ll suffer less transplant shock if they aren’t immediately subject to freezing temps. Be sure to harden them off first if you purchased them from a greenhouse. Older plants can be divided and transplanted as soon as the ground is workable in spring.
How to Plant Coral Bells
Heucheras purchased at the garden center can be any size. If your potted plant is large, you may wish to divide it in half before planting. Coral bells also do well planted in containers and can make an all-season splash.
- Well-draining soil is essential. Although they like a site a little on the moist side, consistently wet soil may lead to root rot. Amend heavy soil with compost or make a raised berm.
- Dig a shallow hole and loosen up the soil.
- Place the new heuchera in the hole so that the old potted soil level matches the new ground level, and backfill with native soil, firming as you go.
- When planting in groups, space them 1-2 feet apart.
- Water coral bells immediately after transplanting and weekly for the next few weeks unless sufficient rainfall has occurred.
- Although drought-tolerant once established, they need a little supplemental watering while they develop new roots and during exceptionally hot and dry periods.
Growing
Coral Bells Care
Light: Heucheras are easy-care plants. Like us, they like a nice, shady afternoon spot and a cool drink on a hot day. If you give them too much light, the leaves can scorch.
Soil: They thrive in well-draining, fertile soil that is slightly acidic to neutral with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. A balanced mix of loamy or sandy soil is ideal as it can retain moisture without becoming waterlogged.
Water: Coral bells prefer partial shade and even moisture. If your hostas like it, so will the heucheras. Don’t overwater. Consistently wet soil can lead to root rot. Once established, water only when the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch.
Temperature and Humidity: These plants thrive in zones 4 to 9 and in moderate temperatures between 60 and 75°F.
Fertilizer: Fertilizer is not needed for in-ground dwelling heucheras. Those in containers can be fertilized once per month with a general-purpose balanced fertilizer when watering.
Pruning: Heucheras can start to look tattered as they get beat up by the environment over the season. Trim off any ragged foliage or broken stems. If desired, deadhead to encourage more blooms.
Dividing and Transplanting: Clumps should be divided every 3 to 4 years in the spring. The center of the plant will start to die out. Fortunately, these small mounding plants are very easy to divide (unlike hostas!). Near the main plant, you’ll see what appears to be small plants or ” offsets” near the soil’s surface. Dig up the plant with a hand shovel and gently pull the new clumps of shoots/plants from around the edge. Plant these divisions as soon as possible with the crown at ground level.
Overwintering
With a USDA 3 to 9 hardiness, there’s no need to bring this plant inside. Mulch your coral bells in the late fall after the first frost. Add a 2 to 4-inch layer of straw or leaves to help insulate the roots from the cold.
As spring arrives, remove any dead leaves and trim back the old growth to encourage new growth.
Coral bells come in a wide variety of types and cultivators, each with unique colors, textures, and growth habits.
- ‘Black Pearl’ is more than a pirate ship. This purple-black leaved beauty sports ruffled leaves and dainty white flowers.
- ‘Green Spice’ is a shorter variety, typically reaching about 9 inches tall but spreading to 16 inches wide. Unique green and silver foliage with purple veination. It makes a unique ground cover or low border.
- ‘Lime Marmalade’ is a brightly colored, almost neon variety with frilly ruffled leaves, great for brightening darker areas that need some color.
- ‘Paprika’ has foliage that matches its namesake spice. Vividly orange, pair it with dark purple varieties to bring attention.
Andy Wilcox
ADVERTISEMENT
Deer & rabbits may not like these, however, squirrels will dig them up when they are first planted & eat all the roots. They need protection, such as chicken wire for a year or two, the taller the better.
