Hello friends! In my garden, I grow both Heucheras and Heucherellas and in this article, I will tell you what differences I have noticed between them.
QUICK ANSWER: The main difference between Heuchera And Heucherella is the leaves. Heuchera has more rounded and less lobed leaves, while Heucherella has more pronounced and pointed lobes. In addition, Heucherella needs slightly more moist soil, whereas Heuchera can tolerate short droughts.
Heucherella is a hybrid of Heuchera and Tiarella. As a result, it has a unique combination of the characteristics of both parents.
1. Leaves
Both plants have beautiful leaves 3-4 inches across. The leaves are attached to the stem by long leaf petioles.
Heucherella has inherited more dissected leaves from Tiarella. Its leaf lobes are much more pronounced and divided into even smaller lobes. The tips of the lobes are narrower and more elongated.
Heuchera has more rounded leaves with much less pronounced lobes. The leaf margin is wavy, but it does not have deep dissections. Some species have a serrated edge, but the cuts are still not deep.
As for leaf color, both plants have many varieties of different colors. There are even two or three-color varieties. However, generally, Heuchera has more variations because its cultivation has a more extended history. Now you can even find variegated heucheras.
Read also: Heuchera Care Guide
2. Flowers
The second noticeable difference is the flowers. Both species have flower stalks about 2 feet tall. Heuchera villosa, for example, has the longest flower stalks, which can exceed 2 feet in height.
Their inflorescences are elongated, narrow panicles. Heucherella inherited larger panicles from Tiarella. The panicles are bigger in diameter and have many more flowers.
Heuchera, on the other hand, has looser inflorescences with fewer flowers. Some species look very poor during flowering. The panicle is not as large and shorter than the Heucherella.
As for flower color, Heuchera has brighter flowers, which can be deep red or pink. At the same time, Heucherella has light pink or white flowers. Heuchera is superior to Heucherella in flower color.
3. Shape
Both Heuchera and Heucherella have approximately the same shape. It is usually a rounded bush 1-2 feet across and about the same height.
However, Heucherella has a more trailing habit, which it also inherited from Tiarella. Heucherella sort of sprawls out in different directions. Some varieties can have stems 3 feet long. Heucherella ‘Yellowstone Falls’ is one such variety.
Heuchera, on the other hand, usually has a shorter but thicker stem to which a large number of leaves are attached.
It must be said that not all Heucherella have a trailing habit. Some have a very similar shape to Heuchera.
4. Watering
Heucherella is more moisture-loving than its competitor. It must be watered after the soil has dried 1 inch, which may not be very convenient in a drought.
On the other hand, it is more tolerant of overwatering. This also means it tolerates clay soil better because it is not afraid of moisture around the roots.
Heuchera, on the other hand, is less moisture-loving. It can even tolerate a short drought. It should only be watered when the soil is about 2 inches dry. The only exception to this is the potted heuchera.
5. Sun Tolerance
Heucherella is a more shade-loving plant. It can grow in full shade and is better suited for planting under trees. It can also tolerate about four hours of direct sunlight in the morning.
What it definitely doesn’t need is direct sun all day because then it will get sunburned. Even a few hours of afternoon sun can damage the leaves.
Heuchera, on the other hand, is more tolerant of direct sunlight. This is especially true of the darker varieties. Burgundy or purple heucheras can grow in direct sunlight for 6 to 8 hours daily. Meanwhile, the yellow and light green ones still need some shade.
6. Disease resistance
Heucherella has a significant advantage over Heuchera, namely better disease resistance. This primarily concerns fungal diseases, such as rust.
This advantage makes Heucherella easier to care for and is essential for many gardeners.
☘️Ask me anything in the comments!☘️
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