How often should I divide my coral bells?

Divide them every 3 to 4 years in spring or fall to keep the plants vigorous.

Do they need full sun?

They prefer partial shade, especially in hotter climates.

Plant guide

Coral Bells.

Heuchera sanguinea

Pronounced HEW-ker-uh san-GWIN-ee-uh

Also known as Coral Bells, Coralbells

Coral bells are lovely perennials known for their delicate, bell shaped flowers and attractive foliage. They thrive in garden beds or containers and add a nice touch of color to shady spots. You'll find they are quite hardy and bring a bit of charm to any landscape.

Another photo of Coral Bells — Photo by Sue Carnahan (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Partial shade to full sun in cooler climates
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for wilting leaves as a sign they need a drink, and remove spent flower stalks to encourage more blooms. Ensure the crown stays slightly above the soil line to avoid rot.

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 dead or damaged foliage in early spring to refresh the plant.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes crowded or the crown pushes above the soil.
Soil: Well draining, humus rich soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Stunted growth despite regular care
Soil pulling away from the sides of the pot

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non toxic to humans.
Children: While not toxic, the plant should be kept away from small children to prevent accidental ingestion of foliage.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to fine hairs.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Clusters of tiny bell shaped flowers
Mounded habit of basal leaves
Leaves often have marbled patterns
Slender flower spikes rising above foliage

Height: 0.3 to 0.5m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.45m
Leaves: green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: red, pink, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

Vine weevil · Larvae feed on roots, which can cause the plant to collapse.
Powdery mildew · A fungal infection that appears as white dust on the leaves.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your coral bells from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Apply a light layer of mulch around the base to protect the crown from frost heaving. If you live in a very cold area, you can cover the foliage with evergreen boughs.
In containers: They grow very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 25 centimeters wide.

Division

Dig up the entire clump in early spring.
Gently pull the woody crown apart into smaller sections.
Ensure each section has healthy roots and some leaves.
Replant immediately in well draining soil.

Plant them with other shade lovers that enjoy consistent moisture to create a lush woodland look.

Grows well with

Hosta · They share similar light and moisture requirements.
Ferns · They provide a beautiful textural contrast in shade gardens.

Similar species

Heuchera americana · It is another popular species known for its attractive, marbled foliage.

Science

Family: Saxifragaceae
Genus: Heuchera
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southwestern United States and Mexico
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened.

It grows naturally on rocky cliffs and in mountain woodlands where it finds cool, well drained soil.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Uses: border plant, rock garden, container plant, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I divide my coral bells?: Divide them every 3 to 4 years in spring or fall to keep the plants vigorous.
Do they need full sun?: They prefer partial shade, especially in hotter climates.

Where the name comes from

The name Heuchera honors the German botanist Johann Heinrich von Heucher, while sanguinea refers to the blood red color of the flowers.

Good to know

It is commonly known as coral bells.
The genus name honors Johann Heinrich von Heucher, an 18th century German physician.
It thrives in partial shade where the soil stays cool.
The foliage often remains green through mild winters.

Keep your coral bells growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.