Heuchera aka Alumroot
Taxonomy
Heuchera, also known as alumroot or coral bells, is a genus of perennial plants native to North America. These clump-forming plants are largely evergreen, with deeply lobed and ruffled leaves that display rich orange, tangerine, caramel, and sometimes scarlet colorations. The foliage may have a darker red or pink underside. Heuchera is a variable plant, with a range of wild and cultivated varieties. The leaves are lobed and often covered in glandular hairs, varying in color from green to reddish-green or purple-green. The plant produces erect inflorescences, reaching up to a meter in height, bearing clusters of pink, white, or greenish flowers. Each flower has rounded, fleshy, hairy lobes with tiny petals, as well as protruding stamens and stigma.
Common names
Alumroot, Heuchera 'Silver Gumdrop'How to care for Alumroot
Difficulty
Caring for Alumroot is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
Water
Alumroot should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Alumroot loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
Alumroot requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Heuchera 'Silver Gumdrop' is always in the right place to thrive.
Dormancy
During the cold period, it is common for Alumroot to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.
Fertilizer
Repotting the Alumroot should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Heuchera Genus
Heuchera glabra Alpine Alumroot
Heuchera richardsonii Richardson's Alumroot
Heuchera missouriensis Heuchera Missouriensis
Heuchera cylindrica Mat Alumroot
Heuchera americana Alumroot
Heuchera parvifolia Hard Alumroot
Heuchera sanguinea Coral Bells
Heuchera Alumroot
Heuchera rubescens Jack O'the Rocks
