Heart-leaf Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
Last reviewed: August 2026
Tiarella cordifolia, or heart-leaf foamflower, sends up spikes of small white flowers in April and May above lobed, heart-shaped foliage, thriving in shaded woodland soil that stays consistently moist.
Toxicity unknown
Heart-leaf Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
6"–12" H × 8"–18" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
GA, MD, NC, SC and 1 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
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Heart-leaf foamflower is a low-growing native perennial that forms attractive clumps of heart-shaped leaves. In April and May, it produces delicate spikes of white, frothy flowers that rise above the foliage. The plant thrives in partial shade and creates excellent groundcover in woodland settings.
Growing Heart-leaf Foamflower
Grow Heart-leaf Foamflower in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 6 to 12 inches tall and spread 8 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Heart-leaf Foamflower is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The spring flowers attract bees and butterflies during an important early-season nectar period. The low-growing foliage also provides shelter for small beneficial insects.
Common questions
- When does heart-leaf foamflower bloom?
- Heart-leaf foamflower typically blooms in April and May, sending up slender spikes of small white flowers above its mounded foliage.
- What pollinators visit heart-leaf foamflower?
- Bees and butterflies are the main visitors to heart-leaf foamflower, using its spring flower spikes as an early nectar source.
- What growing conditions does heart-leaf foamflower need?
- It does best in part shade to full shade with soil that stays evenly moist, similar to the forest floor conditions it grows in throughout much of the southeastern Appalachian region.
- Does heart-leaf foamflower keep its leaves in winter?
- Its foliage is semi-evergreen, often holding some leaves through mild winters, particularly in the warmer parts of its range such as Georgia and South Carolina.
- Is Heart-leaf Foamflower HOA-friendly?
- Heart-leaf Foamflower is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Heart-leaf Foamflower? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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