The 10 Best Heuchera Varieties
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Heuchera, named after 17th-century German botanist Johann Heinrich von Heucher, belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. Commonly known as coral bells or alumroot, these North American native plants are valued for their ornamental foliage. Historically found in herb gardens, heucheras are now popular choices for flower beds. Their small, nectar-rich flowers, appearing in late spring and summer, attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The primary appeal of heucheras is their diverse foliage, displaying colors from pale yellow and orange to red and silvery blue-gray.
The majority of heuchera varieties available are hybrids derived from native species, with Heuchera americana frequently used as a parent plant. These hybrids often show adaptability to various sun conditions, tolerating both full sun and partial shade. Varieties with Heuchera americana parentage are typically well-suited for shadier locations.
Below are ten notable heuchera varieties to consider for your garden.
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Heuchera ‘Melting Fire’: Features Crimson to Purple Ruffled Foliage
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‘Melting Fire’ showcases deeply ruffled leaves that shift from crimson to purple based on season and light. Small white flowers, typical of heucheras, bloom in late spring on stems up to 18 inches (45 cm) tall, lasting for about two months. Like other dark-leaved varieties, ‘Melting Fire’ can scorch in full sun. Providing afternoon shade helps prevent leaf browning, and consistent moisture during dry spells is beneficial for healthy growth.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
- Height: 9–18 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
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Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’: Bright Chartreuse Foliage for Shady Areas
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Chartreuse foliage can brighten shade gardens, and ‘Lime Marmalade’ provides this with its vibrant color. This heuchera variety maintains its bright green hue throughout the season, with foliage often being more prominent than its flowers. It is also suitable for summer containers, pairing well with plants that have pink or purple flowers or foliage.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–8
- Height: 9–18 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
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Heuchera ‘Electra’: Lime Green Leaves Accented by Red Veins
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Contrasting veins are a notable feature in many heuchera varieties, contributing to their diverse color palette and the development of new cultivars. ‘Electra’ displays lime-green foliage with striking red veins, offering interesting garden design options. It can be paired with plants like red wax begonias or New Guinea impatiens to emphasize its veining.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
- Height: 8–12 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
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Heuchera ‘Venus’: Silver Foliage Ideal for Moon Gardens
Leonora Enking / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
Heuchera ‘Venus’ is well-suited for white flower gardens or moon gardens due to its silver foliage. The dark veins provide contrast, which can be enhanced by planting alongside darker companion plants such as bugbane (Cimicifuga) or purple shamrock (Oxalis). Applying a 3-inch (7.5 cm) layer of mulch can help protect heucheras like ‘Venus’ from winter frost heave.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
- Height: 8–10 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to full shade
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Heuchera ‘Caramel’: Features Warm Hues and Tolerates Sun
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
‘Caramel’ coral bells feature leaves in shades of rust, orange, and gold, often appearing concurrently on dense, mounding plants that can spread to 18 inches (45 cm). This variety performs well in hot, humid conditions and can be used as a groundcover, edging plant, or as an accent in woodland gardens. Consistent watering helps prevent leaf edge yellowing.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
- Height: 8–12 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to full shade
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Heuchera ‘Can Can’: Ruffled Purple-Silver Foliage with Changing Hues
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With ruffled leaves displaying a purple-silver color that can appear to shift with changing light, ‘Can Can’ is a striking choice for partly sunny gardens. Similar to many heucheras, the undersides of its leaves are bright purple, adding to its visual appeal in garden beds or as cut foliage in arrangements.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
- Height: 10–25 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
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Heuchera ‘Amber Waves’: Known for Its Intense Orange Foliage
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Heuchera ‘Amber Waves’ is recognized for its exceptionally vibrant orange foliage, reminiscent of autumn leaves. This cultivar tolerates moderate drought conditions. Planting in partial shade is recommended to prevent the color from bleaching and to maintain its vivid appearance.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
- Height: 9–12 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
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Heuchera ‘Midnight Rose’: Deep Wine-Red Leaves with Magenta Flecks
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
‘Midnight Rose’ is distinguished by its deep wine-red foliage speckled with magenta flecks. Its distinctive coloration makes it a notable choice for container gardens on patios or porches, allowing for close observation of its detailed patterning.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
- Height: 10–24 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
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Heuchera ‘Delta Dawn’: Features a Green Picotee Edge on Reddish Leaves
Valleybrook Gardens / Flickr / CC0
Heuchera ‘Delta Dawn’ is characterized by its reddish leaves with a distinct green picotee edge, offering a different look from varieties with contrasting veins. For optimal coloration, this cultivar benefits from approximately half a day of sunlight, ideally morning sun.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
- Height: 8–12 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to full shade
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Heuchera ‘Zipper’: Multicolored Foliage in Orange, Red, and Purple
Valleybrook Gardens / Flickr / CC0
‘Zipper’ features intensely colored foliage in shades of orange, red, and purple, with these colors extending to its stems. To create a balanced visual effect, consider pairing this vibrant heuchera with plants that have gray or silver foliage.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
- Height: 6–8 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
