What is a Coral Bell Plant?

Beautiful dark purple foliage and bright pink flower spikes of the coral bell plant

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Genus Heuchera

The genus heuchera consists of approximately 37 different species of evergreen perennial plants. Today we will cover the coral bell flower, which is a member of the saxifragaceae botanical family.

You may have heard of the coral bell species under the name of alumroot, though their most common name is more indicative of the quality of the plant. These plants bear bell shaped flowers that come in a range of warm colors, the most charming being coral.

Coral bell flowers are native to North America, but they come in all different shapes and sizes. Their flower color, growing conditions, and growing requirements will change based on different varieties. Cultivation of coral bell flowers is very popular due to their reliability and resilience.

Coral bells aren’t known for having the most stunning flowers, but they do have wonderfully attractive foliage. If you’re looking for more of a show stopping centrepiece flower variety, head on over to our list of Incredible Flowering Plants from all over the world where you are sure to find the right match for your green space.

Thin red stalks with bright pink bell shaped flowers of the coral bell flowers plant growing in a stand

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What do Coral Bells Look Like?

Flowers

Coral bell plants bear flowers in the form of dainty spikes consisting of numerous small, bell shaped blossoms. These bunches of flowers grow at the ends of long flower stalks.

Coral bell flowers are not particularly flashy or ornamental, but they are delicate and dainty. Flower spikes can come in a wide range of different colors, from white flowers, to light pink flowers, to light coral, to medium orange, to deep red. Flowers bloom from late spring to early summer or late summer.

Soft focus of coral bell pink flowers growing in clusters at the ends of thin stalks

Leaves

Though their flowers are charming, coral bells are most commonly grown because of their beautiful foliage. The coral bell plant can produce a leaf that is any shade of green, pink, maroon, and sometimes even bronze or deep purple.

Leaves grow as basal rosettes at the base of the stem, occurring in lovely dense clusters. These rounded leaves are the main attraction of the plant.

Growth Pattern

Though leaf rosettes usually remain growing close to the ground, the stem of a coral bell plant can grow to be anywhere from 12 to 36 inches in height. Dainty spikes of flowers grow along the top third of the stem.

Maroon, bronze, dark purple, and yellow coral bell plant leaves all covered in rain drops

Where do Coral Bells Grow Naturally?

The coral bell is a native plant to North America, and different species grow naturally in different biomes. There is no one location or growing condition that fits every species.

For example, heuchera maxima is a species that is native to the channel islands of California, and can grow in rocky soil doused with ocean spray along the coast.

Heuchera sanguinea is a coral bell species that is native to Mexico, New Mexico, and Arizona. It prefers to grow in dry canyons in full sun conditions.

Heuchera americana is a species that can tolerate both dry and rocky soil conditions, and moist and humus rich soils as well.

Coral bell species can exist in USDA growing zones 3 through 9, though they tend to perform the best in zones 5 through 7. Plants that are happy as clams in Vermont are also capable of thriving in Texas!

Bright green leaves of a coral bell flower plant patch with a few stalks of bright pink flower stalks in bloom

How do you Propagate a Coral Bell Plant?

Sow Seed

The best time of year to propagate your own coral bell plant is in the early spring, and since these plants are rather sensitive to winter temperatures, it is best that seeds are sown indoors before they are brought outdoors.

Firstly, fill a seed tray with 1 part perlite and 1 part seed starting mixture. Ensure that this mixture is moistened with water.

Next, place a seed in each individual cell, but do not cover with soil as seeds need sunlight in order to germinate. A seed takes about 2 weeks for germination, and then at least 6 weeks of a cold period prior to being planted outdoors.

At this stage, use a light mister to keep the soil moist. Roots establish themselves very quickly, and so it is best to transplant them outdoors when seedlings are still young with thin roots. This is so that lengthier roots don’t become damaged by the transplantation.

Division

The roots can literally just be ripped apart into different bunches — they are so thin and fibrous that they can easily be ripped and this won’t cause detriment to the health of the plant.

Once a plant is established, it requires very little in terms of maintenance, which you will quickly discover in the following section.

Autumn colored basal leaves of the coral bell plant growing in moist soil in a garden

What are the Growing Conditions of Coral Bells?

37 different types of coral bell species means that plants have varying preferences. Luckily, as a whole, they are a very low maintenance plant species and they can tolerate almost anything.

Depending on the heuchera variety, they may prefer more sun or more shade, more water or less water, or temperature preference.

Coral bells grow in woodlands in the wild, and this is a good indicator of how planting them should be done at home. The easiest way to make them happy is by mimicking this type of growing habitat.

Soil Type

Coral bells can tolerate a varying range of soil types, though the main common factor is that they must all be well drained.

Certain species will prefer to have their soil moist, whereas others will prefer to have drier soils. They can live in loamy or sandy soils, though no species tolerate clay – as it is poorly drained.

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure is another varying requirement for this species. A good indicator of how much sun exposure a cultivar will require is by observing its flower color.

If a flower has a lighter hue, it will most likely prefer partial shade or full shade conditions. If a flower has a darker hue, chances are that it prefers to exist in full sun conditions, but sometimes afternoon shade.

Bright green leave and tall think flower stalks holding bright pink coral bell flowers growing in urban garden

Water Level

Knowing how much sun exposure your coral bell cultivar prefers will help indicate the amount of water it will require as well. All seedlings prefer to live in moist conditions.

When it comes to well established plants, water level requirements will vary. Shade garden loving varieties seem to perform best with a minimum of 1 inch of rain per week. Sun loving varieties seem to perform best when they receive a good 30 minute soak per week.

Temperature

Coral bells are a relatively cold hardy plant, and they can exist in colder microclimates. They grow in USDA growing zones 3 through 9, though they really thrive in zones 5, 6, and 7.

Pruning

Though the coral bells plant doe not generally re-bloom within a growing season, deadheading the plant will improve the overall appearance of the specimen.

Fertilizer

In terms of fertilizer, coral bell plants respond very well to having organic matter incorporated into their soil. Compost can be mixed in with their growing mix once or twice a year, and this will completely suffice as fertilization.

Intolerances

As you may have noticed, it doesn’t take an expert gardener to keep coral bells happy, as they are wonderfully easy to maintain. They seem to completely thrive off of neglect! Just remember to keep in mind that they need well drained soil, they are drought tolerant though they prefer moderate water amounts.

Beautiful lush green garden in blurry background with bright pink flower spikes of the coral bell plant in foreground

How are Coral Bells Used?

Ornamental Plant

Rather than a flower specimen, heuchera plants are more valued as an ornamental foliage plant, and since these are evergreen perennial plants, they help keep a rock garden green and lovely nearly all year round.

Their extensive array of geographic tolerances, sizes, shapes, foliage color, and blossom types, make them an extremely diverse and popular cultivar.

They also many for wonderful companion plants for other perennials, and they can be planted as container plants as well. They can also be kept indoors if so desired.

Medicinal

The leaves of coral bell plants have been used traditionally by certain Native American peoples to make herbal tea remedies, as it is said that leaves have natural anti-inflammation properties.

Bronze and autumn colored basal leaves of the coral bell plant with a few light pink flower spikes in bloom

FAQs

What are the damaging agents of coral bell plants?

Coral bell plants are relatively susceptible to fungal diseases, due to their sensitivity to getting water on their leaves. A good way to avoid damage is by watering the soil full and avoiding getting leaves wet.

This type of damage comes in the form of rust, leaf spot, powdery mildew, and leaf mold. This plant also experiences leaf scorch if a shade loving variety is planted in full sun.

What is frost heaving?

The process of frost heaving is a strange occurrence when the type of root system of a plant is unable to tolerate the cold temperatures of the season. The occurrence itself is when the water in soil freezes too quickly and actually pushes out the root system of a plant — effectively heaving it out of the earth.

Are coral bells deer resistant?

Though coral bell flowers are very lovely both in appearance and in smell, they effectively attract pollinators but are naturally deer resistant and rabbit resistant.

Are coral bells perennial?

Coral bells are evergreen perennial plants, meaning that they have foliage that will remain green and persist all year long, and they have a flowering cycle that will reoccur every year.

Are coral bells invasive?

Though coral bells are very steady growers and resilient, they are not (as of yet) considered as being an invasive species anywhere in North America or otherwise.

Can you divide coral bells?

New coral bell plants can also be established through root division. This can be done in the late spring by taking a healthy specimen and digging up its fibrous root system. This can usually be done into 3 or 4 different bunches.

The roots can literally just be ripped apart into different bunches — they are so thin and fibrous that they can easily be ripped and this won’t cause detriment to the health of the plant.

Can coral bells take full sun?

Sun exposure is another varying requirement for this species. A good indicator of how much sun exposure a cultivar will require is by observing its flower color.

If a flower has a lighter hue, it will most likely prefer partial shade or full shade conditions. If a flower has a darker hue, chances are that it prefers to exist in full sun conditions, but sometimes afternoon shade.

Can coral bell be grown in pots?

How big do coral bells get?

Should you deadhead a coral bell flower?

Though the coral bells plant doe not generally re-bloom within a growing season, deadheading the plant will improve the overall appearance of the specimen.

Should coral bells be fertilized?

What type of soil do coral bells prefer?

Coral bells can tolerate a varying range of soil types, though the main common factor is that they must all be well drained.
Certain species will prefer to have their soil moist, whereas others will prefer to have drier soils. They can live in loamy or sandy soils, though no species tolerate clay – as it is poorly drained.

When do coral bells bloom?

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