As plants grow, they are constantly exposed to different challenges and the color of the leaves may change as a result. This also applies to other parts of the plant.
Sunburn and disease are the main reasons why Coral Bells leaves turn brown. To fix this, transplant heuchera in the shade or half-shade. Also, spray the leaves with fungicide.
In addition to these two causes, there are several others. In this article, I will tell you all possible instances of browning and how to solve it. If you want to know everything about this plant, read the main article: Care and Planting of Coral Bells.
Too much sun
Sunburn
Coral Bells are those plants that prefer to grow in the shade but can tolerate a few hours of direct sunlight. If you place them in full sun all day, the leaves will burn and turn brown.
Also, not all varieties are equally tolerant of partial sun. For example, light yellow and light green varieties almost do not tolerate direct sun. Even 2-3 hours of direct sunlight in the middle of the day can leave burns.
On the other hand, dark red, maroon, and purple heucheras tolerate 6-8 hours of the direct sun just fine.
If your Coral Bells get sunburned, the first thing to do is to shade them with a garden umbrella. Next, water it with 1 gallon of water.
Wait until fall or spring and then transplant the plant to a place with less sun if it is a dark variety or full shade if it is a light variety.
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 leaf spot. It occurs as a result of the sprouting of fungal pathogens that feed on leaf sap. If there are several spots, they can spread and a part of the leaf can turn brown.
To avoid the disease, plant heucheras 1 foot away from other plants. This is to allow air to move freely around the shrub.
Also, do not overwater the plant and use well-drained soil.
If your plant gets sick, spray it with an aqueous solution of anti-powdery neem oil. Against leaf spot, you should use an aqueous solution of fungicide with copper.
Read more: How Do You Treat Heuchera Rust?
Root rot
Root rot that turned into stem rot.
The next possible cause of Coral Bells leaf discoloration is root rot. It occurs in most cases due to overwatering or a high water table.
If the roots are constantly wet, they will begin to soften and rot. As a result, the leaves won’t get any water and will dry out.
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 the 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. If you have a high water table in your yard, make drainage under the bush.
Underwatering
It is believed that Coral Bells can tolerate some drought. However, if it goes 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. It is best to use a drip hose to avoid running water away from the shrub.
If your Coral Bells has suffered from dehydration, then water it once with 2 or more gallons of water. Then place an additional shade over it for a few weeks.
Turn brown after planting
Planting or transplanting is very stressful for any plant. This is due to the fact that 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 slightly humid.
When moving, avoid severely traumatizing the roots. Also, place a garden umbrella 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.