How to Grow Palace Purple Heuchera
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Palace Purple Heuchera
Heuchera micrantha 'Palace Purple'
flowerPalace Purple is a striking ornamental foliage plant prized for its deep burgundy to nearly black leaves that persist year-round in most climates. Small delicate white or pale pink flowers appear on tall spikes in spring and early summer, but this cultivar is primarily grown for its dramatic foliage. It's an excellent groundcover and accent plant that adds depth and contrast to garden beds.
When should you plant Palace Purple Heuchera in your zone?
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Example Palace Purple Heuchera timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Palace Purple Heuchera
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Palace Purple Heuchera blooms
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Palace Purple Heuchera dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in zones 4-8
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Vegetative Growth
6-12 weeksFoliage expands and deepens in color intensity. Plant grows outward, filling the rosette form. Leaves develop their characteristic lobed, textured appearance.
Maintain moderate moisture. Remove any dead or damaged leaves. Monitor for crown rot in excessively wet conditions. Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer if desired.
Flowering
4-8 weeks (typically spring to early summer)Tall, slender flower spikes emerge from the center of the rosette, bearing small white, pale pink, or red flowers depending on variety.
Continue regular watering. Deadheading spent flowers encourages longer blooming. Flowers are not the main feature but add ornamental value.
Maturity & Dormancy
Ongoing; plants are long-lived perennials (5+ years)Plant reaches full size (12-18 inches wide). Foliage remains vibrant through fall and often persists through winter. May go semi-dormant in cold climates but maintains some leaf coverage.
Reduce watering in winter but don't let soil dry completely. In colder zones, leave dead foliage for winter protection; cut back in early spring. Every 3-4 years, divide overcrowded plants.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Ensure good air circulation. Water at soil level, not overhead. In humid climates, apply sulfur-based fungicide or neem oil if needed. Resistant varieties exist.
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Improve drainage; avoid waterlogging. Do not plant crown below soil level. Remove and discard severely affected plants. Use well-draining soil mix.
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Inspect for notched leaf damage. Remove weevils by hand in early morning. Apply beneficial nematodes to soil or use insecticidal soap on foliage.
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Remove by hand or use beer traps. Apply copper tape around planting area. Encourage natural predators like ground beetles.
Uses
Ornamental groundcover and accent planting
HouseholdPalace Purple's dramatic dark burgundy foliage serves as an excellent low-growing groundcover for shaded borders, rock gardens, and woodland areas. Its striking color provides year-round structure and contrast in mixed perennial beds. [source]
Container gardening
HouseholdThe compact rosette form makes Palace Purple ideal for container plantings, mixed planters, and alpine troughs. Its persistent foliage provides season-long visual interest in pots. [source]
Shade garden solutions
HouseholdPalace Purple thrives in partial to full shade where many colorful foliage plants struggle, making it invaluable for shaded courtyards, under tree canopies, and north-facing beds. [source]
Cut foliage arrangements
CraftThe distinctive deeply lobed leaves can be harvested for floral arrangements and add unique texture and deep color to cut arrangements. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeWhile not a major nectar source, the delicate spring flowers attract small bees and other pollinators, providing early-season food when few plants are blooming. [source]
Harvest Tips
Heuchera is grown for foliage and ornamental flowers, not harvested like vegetables. Pinch off flower spikes if foliage is the only desired feature. Divide mature plants every 3-4 years in spring or fall by carefully separating rosettes.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Palace Purple was one of the first Heuchera cultivars specifically bred for dramatic foliage color rather than flowers, revolutionizing ornamental plant breeding in the 1990s.
- 🌱 The leaf color intensifies and becomes darker with cooler temperatures and adequate sunlight; plants grown in deep shade may display more green tones.
- 🌱 Heuchera plants are native to North America and have been used by Native Americans for various purposes; they're also called 'Alum root' due to their astringent properties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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