Heuchera (Coral Bells) Tips

Compiled by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants, Inc.

Our native coral bells are some of the most dependable perennials for the California native plant garden. But after a few years, they can get leggy. Test your green thumb and make a few new plants: dig up an old plant and divide it up as indicated below. This technique can also be used on Geum species.

Pull apart new, healthy sections from the edges of the plant, cutting apart as necessary. Take care with the roots and cut back any that are damaged or broken. Separate into as many rosettes as you can or need.  Trim back any old leaves. For long stemmed sections, cut away from the base of the plant, leaving two or three inches of the stem. You can dip cut sections into rooting hormone if you’d like, but it’s not necessary. Heuchera are tough and will root fairly easily. Either place divisions back into your garden or pot up until the roots establish. Keep watered if we head into a dry spell.

Divided plants probably won’t bloom this year, using their energy to grow new roots instead. But next year, you’ll have strong, vigorous plants that will return with a strong bloom. And you’ll probably have a few plants left over to share with family and friends.

Check the Theodore Payne Nursery for a selection of our local coral bells, such as Heuchera elegans from the San Bernardino Mountains and Heuchera maxima from the Channel Islands. Both have beautiful, clear white flowers that rise above dense mounds of green foliage.