Heuchera is a beautiful, shade-loving perennial that comes in many colors and leaf shapes. Also known as coral bells or alum root, this North American native is perfect for adding color and texture to shady gardens. Its foliage ranges from deep purple to lime green, and its dainty flowers come in shades of white, pink, and red. If you want to add more heucheras to your garden, you can divide them in spring or fall. Read on to learn all about dividing heuchera.
Why Divide Heucheras?
Heucheras are easy to grow and care for, and they make excellent groundcover or border plants. They’re also perfect for adding to mixed containers.
Dividing heuchera offers many benefits. It can help to rejuvenate an overgrown plant, promote better blooming, and increase the overall health of the plant. Dividing also allows you to share plants with friends or to create new plants for your own garden.
Here are some of the many benefits of dividing heucheras:
More Is Better
Heucheras are relatively easy to care for and make an excellent addition to any garden. However, over time, they can become crowded and may need to be divided. Dividing heucheras will not only help to rejuvenate the plant but will also encourage more growth.
While they look great in the garden, heucheras can also become invasive if they are not divided on a regular basis. By dividing your plants, you will help to keep them healthy and looking their best.
Better Blooms
If your heuchera isn’t blooming as much as it used to, division can help. Dividing overcrowded plants will promote better air circulation and allow more sunlight to reach the center of the plant
This is because when the clumps become too large, the center of the plant stops receiving enough sunlight, causing it to bloom less. To ensure that all parts of your plant receive enough sunlight, it’s best to divide it every few years.
In addition, dividing also helps to encourage new growth, which can lead to more robust blooms. Who wouldn’t want more of those pretty coral bells flowers?
Easier Maintenance
Relatively low-maintenance, Heucheras still need to be checked on every now and again. Dividing them makes it easier to check for pests or diseases and to give them the occasional dose of fertilizer.
When you have a big clump of Heucheras, it can be difficult to check on all the plants. Dividing them into smaller sections makes it easier to give them the care they need. Not to mention, they all look healthier when they’re not crammed together.
Increased Airflow
When Heucheras are left to grow undivided, the center of the plant becomes dense and crowded. This lack of airflow can lead to fungal diseases and problems with pests. Dividing the plant allows for better airflow, which helps prevent these issues.
In addition, it also helps the plant to dry out more quickly after rain or watering, further reducing the risk of diseases.
As we all know, Heucheras are beautiful plants that come in many colors and leaf shapes. Chances are, your friends or family members would love to have their own.
By dividing your plant, you can easily share it with others. They’ll be excited to add such a pretty plant to their garden, and you’ll be happy to have helped them out. Not to mention, you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing that your plant is being put to good use.
How To Divide Heucheras
If you’re going to do it, dividing it during the spring or early fall is the best time. This gives the plant plenty of time to recover before the harsh winter season. Here’s how you can do it:
1) Dig Up The Heuchera Carefully
The first thing you will need to do is to dig up the heuchera plant. You will want to be careful when doing this, so you do not damage the roots, so be sure to use a sharp spade or trowel. Once you’ve loosened the plant from the ground, gently brush away any loose soil or debris. You should be able to pull it apart into two or more pieces gently. Each piece should have a good portion of roots attached.
2) Divide The Plant Into Pieces
The next step is to divide the plant into several pieces or divisions. You can do this by using your hands or a sharp knife. If you are using a knife, be sure to sterilize it first with rubbing alcohol.
Decide on how much you want to divide the plant. If you just want to thin it out a bit, you can divide it into two or three sections. However, if you want to replant some of it elsewhere, you may want to divide it into more pieces.
3) Plant The Separated Plants As Soon As Possible
Once you’ve divided the heuchera, it’s time to replant it. Choose a spot that has well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. Don’t forget to amend the soil for better results, or whenever necessary.
Dig a sufficient-sized hole for the divided heucheras, gently placing the heucheras inside and filling it in with soil, pressing down lightly to secure it in place. Water deeply immediately after planting. Watering once per week should be sufficient, depending on your climate.
Final Thoughts
Although dividing heuchera isn’t required every year, it’s a good idea to do it every 3-4 years. This will help to keep the plant healthy, increase its blooming potential, and make it easier to care for overall.
Related Article: Can Coral Bells Be Divided?