Also known as Foamflower · 654 saves

Tiarella

Tiarella, the genus most gardeners know as foamflower. We track 16 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.

16 varieties2 speciesZones 4–9Shade friendly

The 16 most-saved Tiarella varieties

2 species of Tiarella

Each one is a parent of the varieties above.

Track your Tiarella in Sow

Save the Tiarella you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.

How to grow Tiarella

Whats common across all Tiarella varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 16 most-grown of them.

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 654 real gardeners — 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 early spring, late 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