Images Depict Mature Plants
Fire Alarm Heuchera
Heuchera x 'Fire Alarm'
Fire Alarm Heuchera is a great choice when a shade garden needs a real jolt of color. The red foliage gives containers and borders a warm, lively look without relying on flowers to carry the show. I like it paired with silver, blue, chartreuse, and deep purple foliage plants so the color feels intentional rather than loud. It is also a useful option when deer pressure makes hostas harder to use, especially in mixed-shade beds and patio planters.
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Ruffled Red Coral Bells for Bold Shade Garden Color
Bright Red Foliage with Year-Round Appeal.
Fire Alarm Heuchera is a colorful coral bells variety grown for its ruffled red to burgundy foliage and compact mounding habit. The rich leaf color provides bold contrast in shade gardens, mixed perennial beds, containers, and groundcover plantings. Its nearly evergreen foliage offers extended seasonal interest, especially in mild climates, where the leaves can continue to add color beyond the main growing season.
Ruffled Leaves for Texture and Contrast.
The foliage has a leathery, ruffled appearance that adds texture and color. Fire Alarm Heuchera pairs beautifully with silver brunnera, blue hostas, green ferns, chartreuse heuchera, golden Japanese forest grass, hellebores, astilbe, carex, and other shade-loving perennials. Use it where warm red foliage can make surrounding greens, silvers, yellows, and dark purples stand out.
Pink Bell-Shaped Flowers for Pollinator Appeal.
In spring, Fire Alarm Heuchera produces delicate pink bell-shaped flowers on slender stems above the foliage. The flower stems rise above the low mound, adding a soft, airy layer to the plant’s bold leaf color. The blooms may attract hummingbirds and butterflies, giving this foliage-first perennial added seasonal and wildlife value.
Perfect for Containers, Mass Plantings, and Mixed Beds.
Fire Alarm Heuchera works well in combination planters, shaded patio pots, border edges, mixed garden beds, and mass plantings. Its compact size makes it easy to tuck between larger perennials or repeat along a walkway for a ribbon of red foliage. It also works well as a colorful groundcover-style perennial in part-shade beds where homeowners want more color than traditional green foliage provides.
Low Maintenance with Deer and Rabbit Resistance.
Fire Alarm Heuchera is a low-maintenance perennial when planted in organically rich, humusy, well-drained soil. It is generally considered deer-resistant and rabbit-resistant, making it a useful alternative to more heavily browsed shade plants. Keep the crown out of soggy soil, water well until established, mulch lightly for winter protection, and divide mature clumps every few years to keep the plant vigorous.
About Your Fire Alarm Heuchera
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| Hardiness Zone: | 4-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 8 to 9 Inches |
| Mature Width: | 12 to 14 Inches |
| Sunlight: | Partial shade to partial sun |
| Soil | Organically rich, humusy, medium-moisture, well-drained soil |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established; average moisture after establishment |
| Bloom Time / Color | Spring; delicate pink bell-shaped flowers |
| Foliage | Ruffled red to burgundy-red leaves with leathery texture |
| Ornamental Features | Red foliage, ruffled leaves, pink flowers, compact mound, year-round color in mild climates |
| Wildlife Value | Flowers may attract hummingbirds and butterflies |
| Resistance | Deer resistant, rabbit resistant, low maintenance |
| Landscape Uses | Shade borders, containers, mass plantings, mixed beds, groundcover-style plantings, edging, combination planters, underplanting shrubs and trees |
How to Care for Fire Alarm Heuchera
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Fire Alarm Heuchera plant for years to come!
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How should I plant Fire Alarm Heuchera?
Plant Fire Alarm Heuchera in partial shade to partial sun where the soil is humus-rich, medium-moisture, and well drained. Morning sun or filtered light can help support strong foliage color, but hot afternoon sun may stress the plant in warmer climates. Avoid wet, poorly drained areas because heuchera crowns can decline when they sit in soggy soil. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper than the container. Set the crown level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, and water thoroughly. Add a light mulch layer around the plant to conserve moisture and reduce winter heaving, keeping mulch slightly pulled back from the crown.
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How often should I water Fire Alarm Heuchera after planting?
Water Fire Alarm Heuchera deeply after planting and keep the soil evenly moist while roots establish. During the first growing season, water when the top few inches of soil begin to dry. Consistent moisture helps the plant settle in and maintain strong red foliage color. Once established, Fire Alarm Heuchera has average water needs and can handle brief dry periods better than constantly wet soil. Plants in containers or brighter light may need more frequent watering. Always allow excess water to drain so the crown does not stay wet.
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When should I fertilize Fire Alarm Heuchera?
Fertilize Fire Alarm Heuchera in spring as new growth begins. A light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer, compost, or an organic perennial fertilizer is usually enough to support healthy foliage and spring flowers. Avoid heavy feeding, especially late in the season. Too much fertilizer can encourage soft growth, while good drainage, organic matter, and consistent moisture are more important for long-term heuchera performance.
When and how should I prune Fire Alarm Heuchera?
Remove spent flower stems after bloom if you prefer a cleaner look or want the plant to focus energy on foliage. Trim away damaged, tired, or weather-worn leaves as needed during the growing season. In early spring, remove winter-burned or tattered foliage as fresh growth begins. Avoid cutting the entire plant back hard in fall, especially in colder climates, because the foliage can help protect the crown through winter. Divide mature clumps every 3 to 4 years if the center thins, the crown becomes woody, or the plant loses vigor.
