Soil is one of the most essential conditions for growing plants. Mistakes in this matter can negatively affect the plant’s development and prosperity.
QUICK ANSWER: Heuchera likes slightly acidic or neutral soil. The soil pH should be in the 5.5-7.0 range. It should also be well-drained and nutritious.
Read also: Heuchera Plant Care
Best soil pH for heucheras
The best pH for Coral Bells is between 5.5 and 7.0. In such soil, the plant will absorb all necessary substances and thrive. So, you can say that heuchera is partly an acid-loving plant.
If the soil is too acidic (pH<5.5), heuchera will not take up phosphorus, and the root system will suffer. As a result, the leaves will turn yellow or brown.
On the other hand, if the soil is too alkaline (pH<7.0) nitrogen and some other elements will not be available. As a result, the leaves will turn yellow but the veins will stay green. This is called chlorosis.
Other symptoms of an incorrect pH can be white or discolored leaves. In general, if the soil pH is not right, the plant will suffer.
How to Test Soil pH
Although most soils are neutral, some areas may be more acidic or alkaline. This is especially true for areas that have been under human influence for a long time. So, if you want everything to be perfect, measure the soil pH before planting the heuchera.
The easiest way to measure this is to use a pH test kit. You will probably find several suppliers of such kits at your local home improvement center. Just use the kit as labeled, and you will get all the information you need.
The second way is to buy an electronic pH meter online. This is quite a helpful device, even though it costs some money. The advantage is that you can monitor the soil parameters for much longer than with a kit.
And the last option is to take some soil from where the heuchera will grow and bring it to your local county extension office. There you can find out all the information about your soil.
How to Change Soil pH
Let’s say you have tested your soil and determined it is unsuitable for growing Coral Bells. Depending on the test results, you need to proceed in two different ways.
If the test results in your soil being too acidic, you need to increase the pH. You can do this with alkaline products.
Lime is probably the most alkaline product available. It can be found in garden stores and is often called garden lime.
Mix it with the soil to a depth of 2 times that of your heuchera’s roots. It is best to apply lime to the whole bed at once. Use no more than 1 pound per 10 square feet. Water the soil and wait 1-2 weeks.
Next, test the soil again. If it becomes suitable, then you can plant it. If not, add a little more lime.
If your soil is too alkaline, you need to lower the pH. The easiest way to do this is to add aluminum sulfate. This product is easy to find on the market because it is commonly used for hydrangeas.
Aluminum sulfate can be applied just before planting in the planting hole. It works quickly, but the main thing is not to overdo it. Always follow the directions on the label.
The second product is sulfur. Garden sulfur is available on the market, just like garden lime. Sulfur should be applied a year before planting Coral Bells.
Simply mix the sulfur listed on the label with the native soil to the maximum depth. Leave it as is for a while. Then, retest the soil and add more sulfur if needed.
Read more: What Soil Is Best For Coral Bells?
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