How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Bergenia

Easy-growing perennials are incredibly valuable in the home garden. They require little care and maintenance to thrive and grow well in a wide range of environments. Poor soils, harsh exposures, and low moisture levels are no match for rugged perennials.

Bergenias, or piqsqueaks, are a group of tough plants that fit the bill. They sprout thick, glossy, and round leaves that squeak when you rub them together. In spring, pink, white, and purple blossoms emerge atop thin stems above the foliage. 

Native Area

These perennials originate from parts of Asia. They’re native to the Himalayas and other mountain ranges in China. Though they’re native to mountainous regions, they work well across the globe in various gardens. 

Part of why bergenias are tough and durable is because of their native range. They need frost, drought, and heat-tolerant qualities to survive extreme alpine weather conditions. When you plant them at low elevations instead of up high in the mountains, they retain their durable qualities without growing weak or frail. 

Characteristics

Many pigsqueaks resemble each other, though some species have distinct qualities. They sprout heart-shaped green leaves with toothed edges that sprout off long stems in a central rosette. They resemble cabbage plants before they form their heads. 

After new leaves appear in spring, flowering stems emerge from the rosettes. Clusters of white, pink, or red blooms open on each stem, creating a lush effect in the springtime garden. They attract hummingbirds with their sweet nectar. 

Some bergenias are extremely hardy; they have a thick, rugged rootstock that protects them from water loss in summer and frigid temperatures in winter. Though tough, their leaves may wilt after many weeks without water. 

Planting

Whether you’re transplanting potted plants or growing seedlings from seed, getting bergenias into the garden is a simple, straightforward process. Many hybrid varieties are only available as potted plants from nurseries and retailers, while heirloom varieties and bergenia species grow well from seeds. 

Growing From Seed

Bergenia seeds benefit from a short cold period, known as cold stratification, before planting. After the cold period, they’re primed and ready to germinate. Start by placing them in a plastic bag, glass jar, or similar container. Put soil in the container with the seeds, moisten the soil and seeds, then close the container and put it in the fridge for two weeks. Some species require a longer period, and the timing of stratification is species-dependent.

After the cold stratification period passes, remove the seeds and sow them in pots on the surface of the soil. Like chamomile, bergenia seeds need light to germinate. Maintain consistent moisture in the containers, and place them under bright light, either from a sunny window or plant grow lights. 

Practice patience, as the seeds may be slow to sprout! Keep them moist, not soggy, until seedlings appear. Let the sprouted plants grow for a few weeks before transplanting, as their roots need time to establish themselves. 

Transplanting

If you grew plants from seeds or found potted specimens at the local nursery, you’ll need to transplant them into your garden! A proper transplanting sets up bergenias for success for the rest of their lives. Bergenias generally prefer shady conditions, though they tolerate full sun sites in northern states with short, mild summers.

Start by digging a hole for your pigsqueak. Make it as deep and twice as wide as the plant’s rootball, then place the plant inside the hole. Backfill soil over the roots until it covers them completely. Water the site well, and add more soil if it sinks into the hole. You want the surface of the hole to be level with the ground surrounding it.

Pigsqueaks do spread over time, though they take some time to form large colonies. Plant multiple plants close together to help them fill the site at a quicker pace.

How to Grow

These perennials don’t need much to grow in your garden. Give them what they need, and they’ll reward you with flowers from spring to early summer. While many plants fail without the care of a gardener, bergenias persist in forgotten spaces and landscape plantings. 

Light

These low-growing spreaders grow best in the shade, though they tolerate full sun in cool climates with mild summers. Grant them partial or full shade for the best results. They also tolerate dappled sunlight in woodlands and forested landscapes. 

The more light these plants receive, the more vivid their leaves will look as the seasons change. They often turn reddish-pink in fall and winter as frosts and cold temperatures grow more frequent. Grant them between three and six hours of direct sunlight for the brightest, most colorful leaves. 

Water

Regular water is best for bergenias. Though they’re drought-tolerant after establishing themselves in your garden, they prefer consistent moisture during the growing season. Water them regularly, ensuring their soil stays moist while temperatures are high and sunlight is abundant. 

As pigsqueaks slow their growth in the winter months, they’ll require less water to thrive. Check the ground with your finger to see how wet it is before watering. Sometimes, the ground may look dry on top while it’s still moist under the surface. 

Soil

Well-draining, fertile soil is key to healthy bergenia growth, though the plants can grow in poor soils with too much or not enough drainage. A loamy garden mix is best. These perennials appreciate a neutral pH, though they tolerate slightly acidic and slightly alkaline soils.

Consider amending poor sites with compost or leaf mold to boost soil fertility, structure, and drainage. Compost contains microbes, worms, and bugs that break down larger particles into smaller ones that plants can use. Add a layer two to three inches thick each fall and spring. 

Temperature

Because piqsqueaks originate from high, mountainous areas, they function well in temperate climates throughout the U.S. They prefer cool, frigid conditions during the winter and warm, mild ones during the spring and summer. 

Bergenias thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9. One type, the fringed bergenia, is frost tender; grow it in zones 5 through 8. 

Fertilizing

Like most herbaceous perennials, bergenias need nutrients during the growing season. They can grow without extra fertilizer or soil amendments, but they benefit from regular applications. Apply organic fertilizer monthly during the growing season, or amend the site with compost twice a year. 

Maintenance

No extra maintenance is necessary to keep your bergenias growing, although some work will help them look their best. Trim their dead leaves in spring after new growth occurs. The old leaves will look wrinkly, brown, and brittle. 

Trim the flowering stems after they finish blooming to prevent them from reseeding. You may also leave them if you’d like to encourage new seedlings to sprout. Trimming them will divert energy from seed production into foliage formation, promoting healthy, vibrant leaves in the future.

Propagation

Propagate bergenias in two ways: by seeds or through divisions. Seed saving and starting are lengthy processes, though they’re incredibly rewarding when the seeds finally sprout! Dividing established plants is a quick process, but it requires you to have a mature, overgrown plant to divide. Choose whichever method works best for you and your garden, or try both! 

Division

Divide established clumps in spring or fall. If dividing in spring, wait for flowering to finish before starting. Do so in the fall, a month or two before the first average frost date in your region. Dig up the clump, digging down a few inches outside the outer parts of the leaves. Try to uncover as much of the rootball as possible without cutting off too many roots. 

Lift the bergenia clump from the ground and take a good look at it. Remove dead, woody stems from previous years’ growth, and inspect the roots and aboveground rosettes. You’ll want each new piece to have a rosette with leaves and some roots. 

Divide the clump by using a sharp knife or pruners to cut the rosettes into individual pieces. Plant the pieces back in your garden, or cultivate them in pots with potting soil until you’re ready to transplant them. 

Seed Saving

You can buy bergenia seeds online or at specialty retailers, or you can collect them yourself! If you already have pigsqueaks in the garden, wait for them to flower and produce seeds for collecting. They’ll flower and seed in late spring and summer.

To collect seeds, snip the spent flowering stems once they’re dry and brittle. The pods contain dozens of tiny seeds inside that will drop to the ground once they open. You want to catch them before they open. Snip the stems with the closed pods and place them in brown paper bags. 

The pods will dry and open, dumping their seeds into the bag. From the bag, you can collect the seeds and place them in a paper, glass, or plastic container. Store the containers in a cool, dry location like a refrigerator, pantry, or closet. 

Popular Varieties

Plant bergenias alongside other shade-loving perennials like ferns, hostas, bleeding hearts, and barrenworts. A few species and dozens of hybrids offer an ultimate selection. Choose your favorite flower color and leaf shape so you grow plants you enjoy looking at!

Fringed Bergenia

Fringed bergenia, Bergenia ciliata, is moderately frost-tolerant. It’s an evergreen species that thrives in zones 5 through 8. Protect it from winter frost by covering the roots with a thick layer of mulch in the fall. This species is the choicest, most elegant selection of all the species, despite its moderate frost tolerance. 

Fringed bergenias sprout round, fuzzy leaves that look reddish-brown when they emerge. They slowly turn green as they grow larger. Find cultivars with white, red, or lilac-colored blooms.

Heartleaf Bergenia

Heartleaf bergenias, B. crassifolia var. crassifolia (aka, Bergenia cordifolia), are some of the most common types available at nurseries, online, and garden centers. Their flowers dangle from the stems, pointing downwards rather than upwards. 

Try ‘Morgenrote’ for deep red blooms, or ‘Winterglut’ for light red ones. ‘Tubby Andrews’ has pink blooms that are lighter than most other cultivars. 

Winter Blooming Bergenia

Like with the heartleaf species, winter-blooming bergenias are incredibly common in the U.S. Their scientific name is B. crassifolia. Their leaves may reach eight inches across; their lush nature works well in shady, cottage gardens. Find them with red, pink, or purple flowers, depending on the cultivar. 

Hybrid Cultivars

Hybrids are varied and abundant! Many are preferred by hardy plant lovers. Opt for ‘Silberlicht’ for white blossoms, or choose ‘Abendglut’ for dark red blooms and leaves. ‘Herbstblute’ sprouts pink blossoms in both spring and fall; they accompany green leaves that turn purple-red with autumn frosts. 

Common Problems

Bergenias face few pests or diseases. If they do, they’ll struggle with slugs, snails, or leaf spots. Less common are thrips, aphids, mealybugs, and weevils. 

Pests

Slugs and snails are the most common bergenia pests. They eat the leaves, especially those of young seedlings. Control slugs and snails to prevent leaf damage.

An easy way to control these critters is with traps. Use beer, a dough slurry, or rotting fruit to lure them, then remove the trap from the garden after they congregate inside. 

Diseases

Leaf spot may affect weak bergenias. The spots won’t kill the plant, though they’ll make the leaves look unsightly. Discourage the disease by cleaning the plants once or twice a year, giving them more access to airflow. Trim old leaves and compost them away from the garden.