How to Grow and Care for Foamflower

Foamflower is a native perennial wildflower that got its name from the masses of foamy white to pinkish flowers that emerge on long, thin stems from a dense mound of foliage in the springtime. Foamflower grows best in woodland-type conditions, preferring shade and rich soil though the plant tolerates acidic soil and is often found growing under trees. This cold-hardy flower likes moderate summer temperatures.

Common Name	Foamflower, Allegheny foamflower, false miterwort, heartleaf foamflower, foam flower
Botanical Name	Tiarella cordifolia
Family	Saxifragaceae
Plant Type	Perennial
Mature Size	1-3 ft. tall, 6-12 in. wide
Sun Exposure	Partial, full
Soil Type	Loamy
Soil pH	Neutral. acidic
Bloom Time	Spring
Flower Color	White. pink
Hardiness Zones	3-8 (USDA)
Native Area	North America

Foamflower Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing foamflower:

• Plant foamflower in full or partial shade.
• Keep soil moist and well-draining but not soggy; foamflower can withstand a bit of drought.
• Snip off the spent flowers after the bloom to give the plant a neater appearance, if desired.
  

Light

Foamflower needs part shade to full shade. If there is any sun, it should be only morning sun.

Soil

Plant foamflower in soil that is rich in humus and organic matter. The soil should be equally able to retain moisture and drain well because foamflowers do poorly in wet soil.

Water

Foamflower needs evenly moist conditions. It can withstand a short drought, but watering is required during extended dry periods.

Temperature and Humidity

As a plant native to temperate climates, foamflower is cold-hardy but not suitable for hot summer temperatures above zone 8.

Fertilizer

When grown in the right soil, foamflower does not need fertilizer. However, it may benefit from the application of a complete fertilizer in early spring before the new growth starts. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.

Types of Foamflower

There are two varieties of foamflower:

• Heartleaf foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia var. cordifolia) grows in dense clumps with runners and the leaves are heart-shaped, often with burgundy patches.
• Wherry’s foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia var. collina, synonym: Tiarella wherryi) does not send out runners and the deeply lobed leaves resemble fig, oak, or maple leaves.

There are also several hybrids of Tiarella cordifolia, which is the native Eastern U.S. species, with the Western U.S. species of foamflower (Tiarella trifoliata), or with Asian foamflower (Tiarella polyphylla).

Here are the popular foamflower cultivars:

• ‘Oakleaf’ has oak-like leaves and white flowers. The leaves turn red in the fall.
• ‘Brandywine’ boasts glossy, heart-shaped leaves that have red veins. Flowers are creamy white, and the leaves turn bronze in the fall.
• ‘Running Tapestry’ features red-speckled, heart-shaped leaves and white flowers. The plant sends out strawberry-like runners.
• ‘Sugar and Spice’ has shiny, deeply lobed, lacy leaves that have a crimson marking in the middle. The flowers are pale pink and white.

Propagating Foamflower

You can propagate foamflower by dividing dense, well-established clumps in the late fall. Do this every few years to give the plants adequate air circulation and to make sure the soil is still well-draining. Simply do this:

1. Dig up clumps and gently, naturally separate into divisions.
2. Plant the divisions 1 to 2 feet apart where they will fill in the space.
3. Alternatively, remove some of the aboveground runners and apply rooting hormone to the ends to help them get established.
4. Replant runners right away in the ground and moisten soil.

How to Grow Foamflower From Seed

If you are very patient, you can also start foamflower from seed. Germination might be fast, but the seedlings will grow slowly. And remember—perennials don’t bloom in their first year. Take these easy steps:

1. Harvest small black seeds from pods about a month after the first bloom. Look for pods at the bottom of the stalks first.
2. Clean seeds and store them in sealed, refrigerated containers until you are ready to start them.
3. Start foamflower seeds indoors in flats about two months before the estimated last killing frost.
4. Transplant seedlings outdoors into their permanent home after that last killing frost.

Growing in Pots

To take full advantage of foamflower as a ground cover that fills empty spaces, it’s best as a landscape plant but it can also be grown in containers. Use drained potting mixes without very much fertilizer.

Common Pests

Slugs and snails will be the worst problem that foamflower will experience. Slug and snail control measures may need to be taken in the garden. Black vine weevils may be another nuisance and pesticides can eliminate a severe infestation. Otherwise, this plant is resistant to other pests and diseases.

How to Get Foamflower to Bloom

Bloom Months

Foamflower can bloom from May through June, however some bloom earlier and keep going until later in the summer depending on conditions. But even after the long bloom of four to six weeks is over, foamflower is an attractive plant year-round. Its semi-glossy leaves often have reddish variegations along the veins or spots in the center. 

What Do Foamflowers Look and Smell Like?

Spikes are covered with dense clusters of white flowers that have a feathery appearance. The stamens are long and slender which gives the flower its frothy look. The flowers have a faintly detectable fragrance that is meant to attract pollinators.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Foamflower doesn't require much extra work to bloom. Just make sure it is not sitting in soggy soil. If you desire, lightly feed the flowers fertilizer in the early spring to promote more blooms.

Deadheading Foamflowers

While foamflower requires little maintenance, snipping off the spent flowers after the bloom will give the plant a neater appearance.

Common Problems With Foamflower

This trouble-free flowering ground cover is extremely low-maintenance. The only common problem the foamflower may experience is wet feet from overwatering or poorly-draining soil. Root rot can set in and kill the plants if the soil is not amended with compost.