How to Divide a Heuchera

Heuchera is better known as coral bells or alum root. It is a perennial plant that has between 50 and 70 cultivars. Heuchera is grown as a ground cover in rock gardens and is perfect for hanging plants. The name coral bell comes from the tiny bell-shaped flowers that sprout on long stems from the plant in late spring. This plant is easily divided and is actually good for the plant every 3 to 4 years. It can also be propagated from cuttings or seed, but division is by far the easiest way to produce new plants quickly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden fork or spade
• Compost
• Mulch

1. Dig up around the plant with a garden fork or spade. Take the plant totally out of the ground to get all of the roots.

2. Gently pull the younger rootstock off the mother plant; they come apart rather easily. You can also cut right through the center where the crown splits if you only want two plants or are dividing for the health of the plant. Trim off dead woody pieces of the plant.

3. Plant the young plants in new locations that do not get too much afternoon sun and that has good drainage. Add compost to the soil when replanting to aid in drainage and nutrition. When dividing in half, replant both halves with some compost even if it's in the same location.

4. Water in the plants well to settle the soil and help establish the roots. Heucheras should get at least one inch of water per week and a little extra when first planted or when the weather is particularly hot and dry.

5. Mulch around the new plants to protect the roots. The mulch will help hold in the moisture and keep the roots from getting too hot, as they are rather shallow.

References

• The Oregonian
• In the Garden
• Portland Nursery