Alumroot
Heuchera micrantha
Care
part shade
moderate
Medium; Prefers rocky substrate.
1–3ft tall , 1–1ft wide
Mar-Aug
Evergreen
Resistant
Friendly
Prized
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.
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Early season forage for queen establishment
Larval development within flowers and seed pods
Spring foraging for colony development
Powdery mildew in humid conditions
Larval leaf rolling and feeding
Larval mining in foliage
Spring pollen collection
Spring and early summer foraging
+1 more species
Birds
Early spring migration stopover