Botanical Name: Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’

Common Name: Coral Bells

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 4–9)

Size: 10–14" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Mounded, Vigorous, Well-Branched Habit

Sunlight: Partial Shade to Full Shade; Morning Sun Preferred

Soil: Well-Drained, Organic-Rich Soil

Water Needs: Moderate; Consistent Moisture Preferred

Bloom Season: Late Spring

Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring

Features: Ruffled Chartreuse-Gold Foliage, Excellent Color Contrast, Evergreen in Mild Climates

Uses: Shade Gardens, Borders, Containers, Foundation Plantings, Foliage Accents

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

See our complete Heuchera Growth & Care Guide for more in depth care details.

More About Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’

Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’ is one of Heucheras that instantly brightens a space the moment you tuck it in. The chartreuse foliage almost glows in the shade, especially in Spring when everything else is just waking up. It brings light into darker corners where flowers can sometimes struggle to perform. The leaves are heavily ruffled, and that texture gives the plant real substance instead of looking thin or flat. When the breeze moves through it, you can actually see the dimension in the foliage.

Through Summer, the color stays surprisingly strong as long as it is protected from harsh afternoon sun. In our Upstate South Carolina climate, bright morning light and afternoon shade give it the best tone. It does not fade out the way some lighter varieties can. As we move into Fall, the foliage transitions smoothly without turning muddy, so it continues to earn its place in the bed. Even when it is not blooming, it carries the planting with pure foliage presence.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Lime Marmalade’ has been extremely dependable in partial shade with consistent moisture. This plant is a team player. I love pairing it with dark purple Heuchera for bold contrast, or placing it near black mondo grass where the color difference really pops. It also looks beautiful weaving through ferns in a woodland setting, adding brightness without overpowering the scene. In containers, it works as a light source in the mix, lifting everything around it. When you need color, texture, and reliability in the shade, ‘Lime Marmalade’ consistently delivers.

I remember planting a long, shady stretch along a customer’s driveway that always felt dark and a little forgotten. We needed something to brighten it up without turning it into a patchwork of random flowers that would fade out by midsummer. I tucked ‘Lime Marmalade’ in drifts through the bed, and within a few weeks it had filled in with this glowing, textured mound that completely changed the energy of the space. What surprised her most was how steady it stayed. Even through the thick of Summer, with consistent moisture and protection from harsh afternoon sun, it held its color and shape beautifully.

Lime Marmalade vs. Other Heuchera Varieties

‘Lime Marmalade’ is one of the brightest Heuchera available, instantly lifting shaded spaces. Compared to peach-toned Georgia Peach, it is cooler and more electric, while offering stronger contrast than silver varieties like Northern Exposure™ Silver. Its ruffled foliage adds texture as well as color.

This variety is often used as a highlight or accent plant, drawing the eye through mixed plantings. Lime Marmalade pairs exceptionally well with dark anchors such as Obsidian and Black Forest Cake, as well as reds like Fire Alarm. Lime Marmalade performs best where it can contrast against darker foliage and rich colors. It is especially effective in containers, shade borders, and high-contrast designs.