Tiarella cordifolia aka Foam Flower

Taxonomy

Genus Tiarella Family Saxifragaceae Order Saxifragales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Tiarella cordifolia, also known as heart-leaved foamflower, Allegheny foamflower, false miterwort, or coolwort, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the Saxifragaceae family. It is native to North America and has heart-shaped leaves, a characteristic shared by all taxa of Tiarella in eastern North America. Historically, Tiarella cordifolia referred to the one and only species of Tiarella in eastern North America, but in 2021, the species was split into multiple taxa. To avoid confusion, Tiarella cordifolia sensu stricto (s.s.) now refers to the new taxon, while Tiarella cordifolia sensu lato refers to the old taxon. Tiarella cordifolia sensu lato is widely distributed across eastern North America, while Tiarella cordifolia sensu stricto is found only along the East Coast of the United States. Tiarella cordifolia is valued in horticulture for its foamy cream-colored flowers that bloom on erect stems during the summer. It is a small, delicate native herbaceous perennial that is grown in gardens for its neat and interesting foliage and small spikes of creamy white flowers. In fact, it was even selected as the 1986 NC Wildflower of the Year.

Common names

Foam Flower, Foamflower, Heart Leaf Foamflower, Heartleaf Foamflower, Heart Leaved Foamflower

How to care for Foam Flower

Difficulty

Foam Flower requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Foam Flower should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Foam Flower loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Foam Flower prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

The growth of Foam Flower is gradual and it doesn't necessitate any additional fertilizers. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should suffice to provide the plant with sufficient nutrition. It's important to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun's rays, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.

Region of origin

Foam Flower’s native range is Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Michigan, Georgia and Virginia.

More info:
Wikipedia

More Species in Tiarella Genus

Tiarella Pink Skyrocket Foam Flower

Tiarella trifoliata Sugar Scoop