Growing plants in pots is very different from growing them in the ground. This is especially true if you live in a cold climate.
QUICK ANSWER: Place potted Coral Bells in a spot protected from strong winds. Water no more than once a month if the winter is dry, and mulch the heuchera.
Read also: How to Grow Heuchera Properly.
1. Place potted Coral Bells in a sheltered location.
The first step to successful overwintering is to choose the right place. Coral Bells are best placed where there is no strong frost wind, so they can be between two buildings or something similar.
The fact is that the frosty wind dries out the leaves quickly, and the plant can suffer.
Similarly, a potted heuchera should not be in full sun. The Winter sun can also damage it.
You do not need to bury the pot in the ground or wrap it with fabric. Coral Bells is a very hardy plant and can handle hard frosts without a blanket.
2. Don’t bring heuchera indoors.
Never move a potted Coral Bells into a heated room for the winter. You will do more harm than good.
It is sometimes recommended that heuchera can be brought indoors for overwintering. Some websites even claim that you can grow it as an indoor plant.
These are all incorrect statements. Yes, Coral Bells can overwinter indoors and even grow, but it would be exhausting for the plant. Nature has set things up so that plants stay dormant for the winter.
Heuchera will survive one winter indoors, but the next one will die because of a disturbance to the correct biological cycle.
3. Use mulch.
Mulching is essential for successful overwintering. Mulch retains moisture in the soil, so the plant will not suffer from winter dehydration. In addition, the mulch can protect the roots against frost.
The best mulching material is organic matter. To be precise, you need to use either compost or pine bark. Pine straw also works well. Ensure the mulch is from a good manufacturer and is pest or disease-free.
Spread a layer of mulch about 1 inch. Avoid covering the stems of the plant.
4. Water before winter.
Plants are dormant in winter, but that does not mean they do not need water. During thaws, Coral Bells can consume the right amount of water. But if there are long periods of frost in winter, it consumes internal water reserves.
To ensure that the heuchera accumulates enough water and does not suffer from a lack of water in winter, you should water it regularly in the fall. Do this when the soil in the pot is about 1 inch dry.
Give each plant around 1 gallon of water. When you see water coming out through the holes, there is enough water.
Always use pots with at least four drainage holes. Avoid using a saucer under the pot, which can lead to root rot.
Also, do not water in the rain. Finish watering around mid-November. Coral Bells usually do not need to be watered in the winter, but if the winter is dry, water it about once a month.
5. Remove the dead leaves.
The next thing to do is to remove all the dead leaves. This is necessary to prevent the plant from rotting.
Do not tear the dead leaves off the stem, as you may damage it. Instead, gently cut off the leaf petiole near the stem.
Use sharp and thin scissors to avoid damaging the stem. If you see other dead parts of the plant, remove them too.
6. Avoid pruning.
You don’t need to trim heuchera for the winter. Although many people recommend it, you might want to avoid it.
This is because if you cut back the Coral Bells, you will injure it. The wounds will not heal in time for the winter and start to rot.
If you need to prune heuchera, do it in spring or early summer.
Read more: Can You Plant Heuchera In Pots?
Share This Post
