Also known as Foamflower · 575 gardener saves

Tiarella: the varieties gardeners actually grow

Tiarella, the genus most gardeners know as foamflower. We track 16 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.

16 varietiesZones 4–9Shade friendly

The 12 most-saved Tiarella varieties

Of 16 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.

Browse all 16 Tiarella varieties →

How to grow Tiarella

What the Tiarella varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 16 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.

The Tiarella year

  • DivideMarch and September100% of varieties

    Divide congested clumps every 3-5 years to maintain vigor

  • Spring CleanupFebruary and March94% of varieties

    Remove any tattered or brown winter foliage before new growth starts

  • MulchMarch88% of varieties

    Apply 1-2 inches of organic mulch to retain moisture in the shade

  • DeadheadApril and May56% of varieties

    Cut spent flower spikes back to the base to tidy appearance

  • PlantMarch, April, September and October50% of varieties

    Plant in spring or fall in humus-rich, consistently moist soil.

  • FertilizeMarch44% of varieties

    Apply a light layer of balanced organic fertilizer in early spring

Do

  • Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
  • Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature
  • Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature
  • Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist 🌱
  • Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱

Avoid

  • Don’t let soil dry out completely
  • Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
  • Avoid dry, sunny locations ❌
  • Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot ❌

What goes wrong with Tiarella

ProblemWhat you'll seeWhat to do
AphidsSticky residue and distorted leavesSpray with neem oil or insecticidal soap
SlugsChewed edges on foliageUse organic slug bait or handpick during evening hours
Powdery mildewWhite powdery spots on leavesImprove air circulation and apply fungicide if needed
Powdery MildewWhite powdery coating on leavesImprove air circulation and apply organic fungicide
Root RotWilting and blackened rootsEnsure proper drainage and reduce watering frequency

Making more Tiarella

Division

  1. Divide mature clumps in early spring or fall.
  2. Replant divisions at same depth and water thoroughly.

Seed

  1. Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
  2. Keep soil consistently moist for germination, which takes 2-3 weeks.

Tiarella questions

How many types of Tiarella are there?

The Sow catalog tracks 16 distinct Tiarella varieties. The most popular — ranked by 575 real gardener saves — are shown first above.

What zones does Tiarella grow in?

Across its varieties, Tiarella covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.

When does Tiarella bloom?

Most Tiarella varieties bloom in late spring, early spring, mid to late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.

Which Tiarella should I choose?

Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.

Keep exploring

Design with Tiarella in your own yard

Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.

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