Hairy alumroot is a low-mounding, broadleaf evergreen, herbaceous perennial native to the eastern United States, from New York to northern Georgia and west to Arkansas. It belongs to the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae) and is found in moist, rich woods and rocky, wooded slopes, ledges and cliffs. The species epithet is Latin and means “covered with soft hairs.” It grows best in partial shade or dappled sunlight and in moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Hairy alumroot is heat- and humidity-tolerant and, at up to 2 feet and 8 inches high by 1.5 to 2 feet wide, one of the largest alumroots. It is moderately drought-tolerant, but scorching and general plant decline may occur if the soil completely dries out. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from June to October for bees and other pollinators. Deer and rabbits find this plant’s foliage unappetizing. This plant has many landscape uses: mass planted in a woodland or on a slope, in small groups bordering a walkway, or planted in a container. It is well-suited for native, pollinator, rock or shade gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Heuchera .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 8 in. | Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Palmatifid
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Velvety
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Basal leaves are bronze or purple and have 5 to 9 sharp lobes and are often compared to maple. They are 2 to 4½ inches long, with long, hairy petioles (stalks).
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Bell
Flower detail
Small flowers have prominent sepals, inconspicuous petals and extended pistils and stamens. The petioles and flowering stems are hairy. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from June to October.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
In North Carolina, the fruits are available from July to November.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern United States - native from New York to northern Georgia
Distribution
Greatest distribution is in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Heuchera support the specialized bee: Colletes aestivalis. Tannin in the foliage makes it unappetizing to deer and rabbits. Bees and other pollinators enjoy the nectar from the flowers.