Alumroot

Heuchera micrantha

perennial herbView on Calscape

Care

Sun

part shade

Water

moderate

Soil

Medium; Prefers rocky substrate.

Size

1–3ft tall, 1–1ft wide

Bloom

Mar-Aug

Foliage

Evergreen

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Native Range

Moist forests and streamside areas from the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills of northern California to the Cascades, extending to Oregon and Washington.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your alumroot in partial shade to deep shade with rocky, well-draining soil - this plant evolved on cliff faces, so good drainage is non-negotiable. Space plants about 12–18 inches apart if you're creating a groundcover. Fall through early spring is ideal planting time in the Bay Area. Avoid heavy clay soils; amend with coarse sand or gravel if needed to match the rocky substrate this native prefers.

After Planting

Water moderately through your first summer, then back off significantly - once established, this plant needs water only about once a month in summer, if at all. Alumroot is evergreen and cold-hardy, so it will stay green year-round and requires no dormancy prep. The #1 mistake is overwatering: this cliff-dweller rots in soggy soil, so let the soil dry out between waterings and resist the urge to baby it after the first season.

Visit Calscape for more information about Alumroot

Wildlife Supported