Hello friends! Today I will tell you why Coral Bells leaves turn brown and what to do about it.
QUICK ANSWER: In most cases, browning is caused by heat and sunburn. This usually happens in the summer. To remedy the situation, move the Coral Bells to a cool place where there is no direct sunlight and water when the soil is 1 inch dry.
1. Direct sun
Coral Bells are shade-loving plants. However, some varieties can tolerate direct sunlight for several hours a day.
The problem is that the sun is not always the same. For example, in spring the sun is not as bright as in summer. In addition, the soil is still cold after winter and this is acceptable for Coral Bells. At the same time, in summer, the sun shines much stronger and the environment is more heated.
If your Coral Bells receive some direct sunlight, they will do well in spring and fall, but they can turn brown in the summer heat. This applies to all varieties without exception. Even dark-leaved Coral Bells can burn.
To fix this and avoid problems in the future, transplant Coral Bells to a place with a lot of indirect sunlight but no direct sunlight. It is also desirable that this place be cool.
In hot weather, water your Coral Bells when the soil is 1 inch dry, and be sure to mulch the root zone.
Read also: Care and Planting of Coral Bells.
2. Disease
The second cause of subdued Coral Bells leaves is a disease. There are many diseases that can damage this plant, but the most common are two.
The first is powdery mildew. As a result, the leaves become covered with a light grayish powder, and their color changes to dark brown or even black.
The second disease is the leaf spot. It occurs as a result of the sprouting of fungal pathogens that feed on leaf tissue.
To avoid the disease, plant heucheras one foot away from other plants. This allows air to move freely around the shrub. Also, do not overwater the plant; use well-drained soil.
If your plant gets sick, spray it with copper fungicide.
Read more: How Do You Treat Heuchera Rust?
3. Root rot
Root rot is the next possible cause of leaf discoloration, which occurs most often due to overwatering. If the roots are constantly wet, they will begin to soften and rot.
If root rot occurs, dig the plant out of the ground and clean the dirt from the roots. Remove the rotten parts of the roots and treat the wounds with a 10% hydrogen peroxide solution.
Plant the heuchera in a pot with a sterile substrate. Place the pot in full shade and water very sparingly. When the plant has recovered, it can be planted in the garden.
To prevent future root rot, do not water until the soil is 1-2 inches dry. Always use well-drained soil and make drainage under the bush.
4. Underwatering
If Coral Bells go a long time without water, the lower leaves will start to droop and become crispy. So you don’t want to dry out the soil too much.
Water when the soil is slightly dry on top (no more than 2 inches). It is best to water immediately, but if you don’t have time, heuchera will tolerate 1-2 days without watering.
Use about 1 gallon of water for each plant.
If your Coral Bells have suffered from dehydration, water it once with two or more gallons. Then, place an additional shade over it for a few weeks.
5. Transplant shock
Planting or transplanting is very stressful for any plant. During transplanting, the integrity of the root system is broken, and the leaves do not receive enough water. As a result, they dry out and turn brown.
If your Coral Bells lose a few leaves after planting or if the leaves shrivel up, this is a normal process. But if you transplant it at the wrong time or do it incorrectly, the plant might lose too many leaves.
To avoid this, plant or transplant heuchera only in the spring or fall. The weather should be cloudy and humid.
When moving, avoid severe damage to the roots. Also, place an additional shade over the plant for several weeks to provide full shade.
Water newly planted Coral Bells when the soil is 1 inch dry. Be sure to mulch it to prevent overheating and the soil from drying out quickly.
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