What Soil Is Best For Coral Bells?

The medium in which the plant grows considerably influences its development and appearance. Mistakes in this matter can lead to unintended consequences.

QUICK ANSWER: Coral bells prefer well-drained and nutritious soil. They also like a slightly acidic or neutral substrate.

If the soil in your garden does not meet these recommendations, you need to improve it. To do this, add 1-2 buckets of soil improver to the planting hole and mix well with the native soil. Soil conditioner or compost works best as a soil improver. You can also get good results using peat.

Clay soil

Most soils are clay, which is not the best substrate for Coral Bells. If your soil is clay, you definitely need to amend it. You can do this by adding organic matter.

Before planting, dig a hole three times larger than the root ball and mix native soil with two or more buckets of soil conditioner (or compost, peat, etc.). This soil mixture will hold the optimum amount of water and be well-drained.

It will also make it easier for the roots to spread, and the organic matter will serve as an excellent fertilizer.

Place the bush in the hole without deepening the stem into the ground. Backfill all the spacers and water the plant. The heuchera will feel comfortable in these conditions for years to come.

Sandy soil

Sandy soils are less common, but it still meets. Such soil is good because it does not stagnate in water. But it is also a disadvantage because in hot weather it dries out quickly and the plant suffers from dehydration.

Also, sandy soil is poor in nutrients. Although heuchera does not need much fertilizer, it is better for the soil to be at least a little nutritious.

To achieve this, you have to do the same as with clay soil: add organic matter. This will let the soil stay wet a little longer and make it more nutritious.

Just add 1-2 buckets of compost to the planting hole. Drainage is not necessary in sandy soil.

Soil ph

Coral Bells like slightly acidic or neutral soil, i.e., soil pH 5.5-7.0. In such soil, the plant is able to extract everything it needs and grow normally.

Most soils are neutral, so you do not have to worry about this. But if your heuchera grows poorly and has yellowing leaves, this can mean that the soil is not suitable.

To fix the situation, buy a soil pH test kit. You can get one online or at a garden center. The kit will determine the acidity of your soil.

In too acidic soil (pH<5.5), the plant is not able to take up phosphorus, and the leaves will look yellowish or pale as a result. If this is the case, add some garden lime to make it less acidic.

If your substrate is too alkaline (pH>7.0), the plant cannot assimilate the nitrogen. As a result, the leaves will turn yellow, but the veins will stay green. To make the soil less alkaline, add sulfate (acidifier).

Potting soil

You can use multipurpose potting soil for potting. Make sure that it has the right pH. Also, give preference to a well-known manufacturer with a good reputation.

Or you can go the other way and make your own potting soil. Mix one part of ordinary garden soil with one part of the compost. Also, add some perlite. That’s it; the substrate is ready.

Always use pots with drainage holes (at least 4). Mulch the surface of the potting soil with compost or pine bark to prevent it from drying out quickly.