Why Are My Coral Bells Drooping? – World of Garden Plants

There are a variety of problems with plants very often. In most cases, this is due to improper care.

Weevils and root rot are the main reasons for Coral Bells to wilt. To fix this, use beneficial nematodes against weevils and only water when the ground is about two inches dry.

In the following, I will tell you all the possible causes of drooping and how to deal with them. Be sure to read the Coral Bells Planting Instructions to avoid future problems.

Pests

Coral Bells drooped because of weevil damage.

Weevils are the biggest pest threat to Coral Bells. Adults destroy foliage, but larvae are more insidious. They can destroy almost all the roots. As a result, the plant loses the ability to get moisture from the ground and the leaves and petioles droop.

To get rid of this pest, use beneficial nematodes. You can find many suppliers of such products online or at a garden center. Most can handle a wide range of different pest grubs.

Dilute the nematodes in a gallon of water and water the soil around the heuchera. Do this in warm weather and always follow the instructions on the label.

The nematodes will do the trick, even if you have to wait a little while.

Overwatering

Coral Bells drooped because of root rot.

The second common cause of drooping is root rot. This disease is caused by too much watering, poorly drained soil, or pots without holes. As a result, the roots soften and begin to rot.

Symptoms are drooping leaves and petioles. The leaves may also begin to turn brown. Over time, root rot can develop into stem rot and the plant will lie on the ground.

To fix this, dig out the bush. Inspect all the roots and remove any rotten parts. Wash the wounds with hydrogen peroxide and plant the heuchera in a pot with the sterile seedling substrate. The pot should have a few drainage holes.

Place the plant in full shade until it has fully recovered. Water the heuchera only when the soil is 1.5 to 2 inches dry.

Underwatering

Heuchera is considered capable of withstanding short-term drought. In some cases, this is indeed true. If the plant has been growing in the same place for several years and is well established, it can survive without water for some time.

But for newly planted Coral Bells or for those that have been growing in the same place for one year, watering is more important. If the soil dries out more than 3 inches, such plants can suffer from dehydration. This will cause their leaf petioles to droop.

To fix this, water once with a gallon of water, then water again an hour later with another gallon.

Next, always monitor the soil moisture using a finger test. Water when the soil is 2 inches dry.

Diseases

Coral Bells drooped because of rust.

The disease can also cause drooping. In most cases, it is related to rust. This is a serious enough problem that it can cause damage to the plant.

This disease mainly affects the leaves of heuchera, resulting in brown spots. But in the case of severe infestation, the leaf petioles can also be affected.

The fungus germinates on the petiole, weakening it. All this causes the petioles to sag to the ground under the weight of the leaves. It can also break off where the fungus is strongest.

To cure the plant you have to remove the infected parts and spray the leaves with fungicide. After a while, you have to spray again. Also, the soil around the shrub should not be constantly wet.

Too much sun

Coral Bells drooped because of too much sun.

Dark heuchera varieties are able to grow in full sun. The red or orange ones need partial shade. All this is true for fully rooted plants.

If you buy a plant with a big above-ground part in a small pot it can be uncomfortable in full sun, even if it has black, maroon or purple leaves.

The fact is that newly planted heucheras are unable to absorb water from the surrounding garden soil for some time. As a result, in full sun they can quickly lose their internal water reserves and droop. Another symptom would be brown sunburn on the leaves.

If your newly planted heuchera in full sun has drooped then shade it immediately. This can be done using a garden umbrella. It is best if the shade remains for several weeks.

Next, water it with 1-2 gallons of water. For the next few months, don’t let the soil dry out more than 1 inch.

Never plant light-colored Coral Bells in full sun.