Why are my leaves turning red?

This is a natural response to cold temperatures and is a desirable trait for winter interest.

How often should I divide it?

Divide every 3 to 5 years in the spring to keep the clump vigorous.

Plant guide

Siberian tea.

Bergenia crassifolia

Pronounced ber-GEN-ee-uh krass-ih-FOH-lee-uh

Also known as Elephant's ears, Elephant's-ears, Elephant-Ears, Elephant-ears [Bergenia crassifolia], Heart-leaved Elephant's-ears, Heartleaf Bergenia, Korean elephant-ear, Siberian Tea

Elephant's-ears — Photo by Léo Souillard (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Bergenia is a tough, evergreen perennial that brings lovely texture to shady spots. It is famous for its large, leathery leaves that often turn bronze or purple in the winter. You will love the clusters of bell shaped flowers that pop up in early spring.

Another photo of Siberian tea — Photo by John Lyden (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Early to mid spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent rot. Watch for wilting leaves which usually signal that the plant needs a drink. Remove any damaged or dead foliage in the spring to keep the plant looking tidy.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back old or damaged leaves once a year in early spring.
Repotting: Repot only when the rhizomes become too crowded for the container.
Soil: Moist, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -30 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 plus years
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Plant growth slows significantly
The clump has become too large for the container

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic but may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation if ingested.
Children: The plant is not considered a significant risk to children, though ingestion of any garden plant should be discouraged.
Contact allergens: The leaves have a leathery texture that rarely causes skin irritation.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: While historically used in tea, this plant contains tannins that can cause stomach upset if consumed in large quantities.

How to identify it

Large leathery evergreen leaves
Thick fleshy rhizomes
Clusters of bell shaped flowers
Leaves turn bronze in winter

Height: 0.3 to 0.45m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: dark green, bronze, evergreen
Flowers: pink, magenta, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

Leaf SpotCommon
Slugs and SnailsCommon
Root RotUncommon
Vine WeevilUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Leave the foliage intact as it provides protection for the crown during winter. Remove any damaged or dead leaves in early spring.
In containers: It grows well in containers, provided the pot is at least 30 centimeters wide to accommodate the spreading rhizomes.

Division

Dig up the entire clump in early spring after flowering.
Use a sharp spade or knife to cut the rhizomes into sections.
Ensure each section has at least one healthy bud or rosette of leaves.
Replant the divisions at the same depth they were previously growing.
Water thoroughly until established.

Plant in groups of three to five to create a dense, weed suppressing mat that looks great year round.

Grows well with

Hosta · They share similar shade requirements and provide contrasting leaf textures.
Ferns · The delicate fronds of ferns look lovely against the bold, leathery leaves of the bergenia.

Similar species

Heartleaf Bergenia · It is very similar but features heart shaped leaves instead of the more oval leaves of B. crassifolia.

Science

Family: Saxifragaceae
Genus: Bergenia
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central Asia, specifically Siberia and Mongolia.
Conservation: This plant is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated.

It thrives in rocky, mountainous areas where its thick leaves help it retain moisture and survive temperature extremes.

Value to wildlife: early season nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: groundcover, winter interest, rock gardens, border edging

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 3/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves turning red?: This is a natural response to cold temperatures and is a desirable trait for winter interest.
How often should I divide it?: Divide every 3 to 5 years in the spring to keep the clump vigorous.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors German botanist Karl August von Bergen, while the species name crassifolia refers to the thick, fleshy leaves.

Good to know

It is commonly known as elephant ears due to the large, leathery shape of the leaves.
The leaves are very tough and can withstand significant cold and snow cover.
It is native to the harsh climates of Siberia and Mongolia.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.