Heuchera: care and types

The heuchera is a herb that gives a lot of play in a garden, as well as in a patio. There are many varieties, and even more cultivars selected for the colors of their leaves, with which they can combine very well other plants and / or decorative elements.

In addition, since they do not grow very much, it is perfect for growing in a pot or planter. It is not very demanding; In fact, what we have to take into account the most is that you have to water it regularly, since it does not withstand drought.

Origin and characteristics of the Heuchera

The gender of heuchera It is made up of about 50 species of perennial herbaceous plants native to North America. They reach an approximate height of between 30 and 90 centimeters, for about the same width. Its leaves are palmate and lobed, with entire margins, are about 3-5 centimeters wide and can be green, red, orange, lilac, or even yellowish. depending on the variety and / or cultivar.

Its flowers sprout from a long stem, approximately 30 to 100 centimeters, and sprout in spring. They are small in size, but very numerous, all the more reason to place the plant in an area where it can stand out. The color of these also varies depending on the species or cultivar. But you should know that they can be white, red, coral-red, and pink.

Types of Heuchera

Although there are about 50 pure varieties of heuchera, we find very few in the markets. What's more, it is easier to get a cultivar than a pure specimen. But precisely for that reason we are going to know some of these pure species, since they also have ornamental value:

American heuchera

La American heuchera It is a species that, as its surname indicates, grows in America; specifically, we can find it in eastern and central North America. Its leaves are lobed, usually green in color, although they can also be purple or brownish. The flowers arise from stems of up to 1 meter, and are green or cream-colored. It grows to reach 40 centimeters in height. From it, several cultivars have been selected, such as the American heuchera 'Garnet', which has lilac leaves with a green margin.

Heuchera brevisaminea

La Heuchera brevisaminea it is an endemic species of San Diego, in California. Grows to a height of 30 centimeters. Its leaves are green, and its flowers are magenta. These sprout from a flower stalk that is up to 25 centimeters tall.

Heuchera elegans

La Heuchera elegans It is an endemic herb to the mountains of southern California. Reaches a height of 30 centimeters, and has green leaves. The flowers are grouped in inflorescences, and are white and pink.

heuchera maxima

La heuchera maxima it is an endemic plant of California. It is the largest of the genus, being able to measure up to 91 centimeters in height. The inflorescence is also large, since it reaches 60 centimeters high. Its flowers are white, a color that contrasts very well with the green of its leaves.

Heuchera micrantha

La Heuchera micrantha It is an herb that grows in western North America. It is small, only about 40 inches tall, and has green or purple leaves., as is the case of the cultivar Heuchera micrantha 'Palace Purple'. The flower stalk can be up to 1 meter tall, and is made up of numerous pink, white or greenish flowers.

Heuchera rubescens

La Heuchera rubescens It is an herb native to the western United States to northern Mexico. Grows up to 40 centimeters tall, and has leaves of a beautiful green color. The changing flowers are whitish.

heuchera sanguinea

La heuchera sanguinea It is a plant native to Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. Grows up to 30 centimeters tall, and produces flowers of a striking coral red color, which is why it is known as coral bells.

What is the care of the Heuchera?

The heuchera is a very grateful plant. You only need a few basic care to be perfect throughout the year. Here we tell you what they are:

Location

This is a plant that supports the cold, so it is best to always grow it outdoors. But where do you put it? Well, it is best to put it in a bright place, but if you live in an area where the sun is very strong in summer (reaching degrees of insolation 8-10) as in the Mediterranean, it is preferable that you place it in an area in the one that does not give during the central hours of the day. It can also be in shade as long as it does not lack light, since it cannot be in a dark place.

Earth

It grows in soils rich in organic matter and acids. If planted in alkaline soil, the leaves may have chlorosis, since the roots could not absorb iron and / or manganese due to the high concentration of calcium. If this happens, the leaves would appear yellowish, although the nerves could remain green in the event that it was a problem of lack of iron.

For this reason, we advise planting it in soils whose pH is between 4 and 6; and if it is going to be in a pot, in one filled with growing medium for acidic plants (for sale here)

Irrigation

The heuchera cannot be without water for a long time. It is not an aquatic plant, but it is not one that lives in deserts either. Therefore, it must be watered regularly. During the summer it will be done about three times a week, while the rest of the year it will be done once or twice a week. 

The irrigation water must be acidic, that is, it must have a pH between 4 and 6, since if it is higher, its leaves would become chlorotic. And although that can be solved by adding iron sulfate, lemon or vinegar to the water, it is better to be safe.

Subscriber

It must be paid while it is growing, something that happens in spring and summer. You have to use organic fertilizers such as guano (for sale here), but avoiding those with a pH greater than 6, as is the case with seaweed fertilizer, which is usually very alkaline.

Planting time

If we want to plant the heuchera in the ground, or if we are going to change it pot, we will do it during the spring. This way you will have several months ahead to recover and grow.

Multiplication

We can multiply it by sowing its seeds in spring, in a pot with coconut fiber (on sale here) or soil for acidic plants. We will place them outside, protected from direct sun, and we will keep the soil moist so that they can germinate. If all goes well, they will start doing it after about two weeks.

Rusticity

It is very rustic. Withstands frosts down to -10ºC, and it does not hurt too much heat if it is a little protected from direct sun.

Do you dare to grow heucheras?