A Guide to Growing Heucherella (Foamy Bells)
Brighten up your shade garden with the attractive foliage and dainty flowers of this easy-care shade perennial.
Fun and Games® 'Eye Spy' heucherella. Photo by: Proven Winners
If you’ve ever wanted a plant that pulls double duty—flaunting eye-catching foliage as well as charming little flowers—Heucherella might be your new garden favorite. Also known as foamy bells, this shade-friendly perennial is actually a hybrid of Heuchera (coral bells) and Tiarella (foamflower) and blends the best traits of both.
Like coral bells, the leaves come in a stunning array of colors, often streaked with intricate veining. And like foamflower, Heucherella is covered in late spring with tall stems of delicate, frothy blossoms that sway gently in the breeze.
Perfect for shady borders, woodland gardens, and containers, Heucherella is both versatile and low maintenance. Learn everything you need to know, from planting and care to design ideas for using this showstopper in your own garden.
On this page: Basics | Planting | Care | Varieties | Frequently Asked Questions
BASICS
Botanical name:
Heucherella
Common names:
Foamy bells
Plant type:
Herbaceous perennial
Zones:
4-9
Exposure:
Partial to full shade, although some varieties can tolerate full sun
Habit:
Mounded
Mature size:
6 to 20 inches tall and up to 30 inches wide (depending on the cultivar), with the flower spikes rising 1 to 2 feet above the foliage
Foliage:
Heucherellas are primarily grown for their ornamental foliage, which comes in a broad spectrum of colors and patterns, including silvery gray, lime green, orange, and various shades of bronze and red, often with contrasting veins. Leaves are typically lobed and resemble miniature maple leaves. Many varieties have evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage in milder climates, and some undergo seasonal color shifts, offering a dynamic display throughout the year.
Flowers:
Panicles of tiny star-shaped flowers in white, pink or cream are produced along slender, upright stems, creating a bottlebrush-like appearance. Although small, the flowers are rich in nectar and a good food source for butterflies and hummingbirds.
Bloom time:
Late spring to early summer
Landscape uses:
Foamy bells is a landscape multitasker, bringing vibrant color and texture to shaded or partially sunny garden spaces. It is ideal in woodland borders, nestled into a rock garden, used as an eye-catching groundcover beneath trees or on shady slopes, showcased as a striking specimen plant, or featured as a bold accent plant in mixed container displays.
Watch Laura Jones of Polished Garden & Home create a colorful garden bed at her northern Utah home using a beautiful arrangement of Proven Winners Heucherellas and Heucheras. Watch the full video.
HOW TO PLANT HEUCHERELLA
When to plant:
Plant foamy bells in the spring when temperatures are consistently warm. Early fall planting can also work, as long as you give plants enough time to establish before winter.
Where to plant:
Choose a site in partial, full, or dappled shade. Plants in cooler climates can often tolerate more sun if given enough moisture. Foamy bells with darker foliage—like deep purple, bronze, or burgundy tones—also tend to be more tolerant of sun exposure, especially when planted in areas that receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Protect them from intense, direct midday sun, which can scorch the leaves.
Soil:
Foamy bells grow best in humus-rich, well-draining soil that is kept slightly moist. Avoid planting in soggy, wet soil, which can lead to crown rot. To help improve drainage and aeration, amend heavy garden soil with compost.
Planting:
Plant 1 to 2 feet apart (depending on mature size), with the base of the foliage slightly above soil level. This ensures that the crown of the plant (where the leaves meet the roots) is positioned above the soil and not buried deeply, which can lead to crown rot. Because foamy bells prefer evenly moist conditions, apply a layer of mulch around the base of your plants to help retain soil moisture.
Growing in containers:
Choose a container with excellent drainage and fill it with a loose, well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter. Position your plant at the same depth it was in its nursery pot, keeping the crown slightly above the soil. Water thoroughly after planting, and whenever the top inch of soil becomes dry. Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season.
HEUCHERELLA CARE
Container combination with Heucherella and Hosta. Photo by: Proven Winners
Watering:
Water plants regularly until they become established to encourage healthy root growth. Most foamy bells are fairly drought-tolerant once established. However, because of their shallow root systems, you should water them regularly during summer dry spells, making sure they get about an inch of water a week. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
Amendments and fertilizer:
Heucherella typically doesn’t require heavy feeding, especially if it is planted in fertile soil. A light application of compost or a balanced, slow-release fertilizer when new growth emerges in spring is usually sufficient. Plants in containers may need more frequent feeding throughout the growing season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can promote weak, spindly growth.
Pruning and deadheading:
Pruning and deadheading Heucherella helps keep the plant tidy, encourages new growth, and can extend its blooming period.
- Early spring: Trim away any winter-damaged foliage before new growth starts.
- Through the growing season: Remove older leaves that look faded or scorched to keep your plant looking fresh.
- Early summer: As soon as the flowers fade in early summer, snip the stems close to the base, being careful not to damage the surrounding foliage. This will allow more energy for new foliage production and sometimes encourage repeat blooming.
Dividing:
Divide mature clumps every 3 to 4 years in early spring or fall to rejuvenate growth and prevent overcrowding.
Winter care:
In climates with cold winters, apply a protective layer of mulch—about 2 to 3 inches of shredded leaves, bark, or straw—around the base of your plants after the ground freezes. This helps insulate the roots and prevent frost heave. Also, resist the urge to prune back plants in the fall since the foliage helps protect the crown.
If your plants are in containers, move them to a sheltered location like a garage or porch to shield them from extreme cold, or insulate the pots by sinking them in the ground or wrapping them with burlap.
During winter dormancy, foamy bells need minimal watering. Only give them a drink if the weather is unusually dry and temperatures remain above freezing. The key is to avoid soggy conditions, since overwatering in cold weather can lead to crown or root rot.
“To prevent frost heave, probably the most important thing is to have well-drained soil. Be sure you work plenty of organic material into your planting beds. Some plants are more susceptible to frost heave than others. Shallow-rooted perennials (like Heucherella) are the most susceptible, and may need several years to establish a strong anchoring root system.” — Sharon Dwyer, Midwest Gardening
Pests and diseases:
Heucherella is free of serious pest and disease problems, but it can be susceptible to powdery mildew and crown rot. Good air circulation and proper watering can help prevent these fungal issues.
HEUCHRELLA VARIETIES
Photo by: Proven Winners
Fun and Games® 'Hopscotch' — Buy now from Proven Winners
Heucherella hybrid
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full sun to full shade
Height and spread: 10 to 12 inches tall, 20 to 24 inches wide
Flower color: Creamy white
Starting off burnt red in color with deep burgundy veins, ‘Hopscotch’ fades to shades of yellow-orange and green as the season progresses. Performs well in full sun in the North, but prefers some shade (particularly during the afternoon heat) in southern climates.
Watch this short video from Heidi Grasman of Garden Crossings, showing a lovely display of ‘Hopscotch' growing in their trial garden.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Fun and Games® 'Shadow Tag' — Buy now from Proven Winners
Heucherella hybrid
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full sun to full shade, but prefers part shade
Height and spread: 10 to 12 inches tall, 16 to 18 inches wide
Flower color: Pink
Features bright green foliage with a silvery overlay, accented by dark burgundy veining. Charming sprays of bubblegum pink flowers rise above the foliage in late spring. Remains semi-evergreen in mild climates.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Fun and Games® 'Capture the Flag' — Buy now from Proven Winners
Heucherella hybrid
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Part shade to shade
Height and spread: 8 to 10 inches tall, 20 to 22 inches wide
Flower color: White
Large, heavily lobed chartreuse green leaves are accented by vibrant, deep burgundy veining. This semi-evergreen variety adds a bright pop of color to the shadier spots of the garden over a long season.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Fun and Games® 'Eye Spy' — Buy now from Proven Winners
Heucherella hybrid
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Part shade to shade
Height and spread: 8 to 10 inches tall, 16 to 20 inches wide
Flower color: Pink
Attractive, deeply serrated leaves start off amber-yellow with deep rose veining in the spring and gradually turn a bright chartreuse green with a silvery overlay as the summer progresses. In late spring, showy bright pink blooms emerge and last for weeks. Has excellent heat and humidity tolerance.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Fun and Games® 'Red Rover' — Buy now from Proven Winners
Heucherella hybrid
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full sun to full shade, but prefers part shade
Height and spread: 6 to 8 inches tall, 18 to 20 inches wide
Flower color: Creamy white
True to its name, this stunning variety adds a vivid splash of red to the garden, with its coppery red, heavily lobed foliage punctuated by deep burgundy red centers. When the heat of summer sets in, the leaf color gradually fades to olive green.
Photo by: iPlantsman / Shutterstock
'Sweet Tea'
Heucherella 'Sweet Tea'
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Part shade to shade
Height and spread: 20 inches tall, 20 to 28 inches wide
Flower color: Creamy white
Features scalloped foliage in warm, autumnal tones of orange, apricot, red and gold, embellished with chocolate brown veining. Exceptionally tolerant of heat and humidity, it will thrive even during the hottest days of summer if planted in partial shade and moist soil.
Photo by: Walters Gardens, Inc.
'Pink Fizz'
Heucherella 'Pink Fizz'
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full sun to full shade
Height and spread: 8 inches tall, 18 inches wide
Flower color: Pink
Perfect for containers and small gardens, this compact variety flaunts deeply lobed, soft green leaves with a silvery overlay and wine-red veining. Frilly pink bell-shaped blooms emerge from hot pink buds in early to midsummer, rising on slender stems like fizzy soda bubbles.
Photo by: Joe Kuis / Shutterstock
'Brass Lantern'
Heucherella 'Brass Lantern'
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full sun to full shade
Height and spread: 18 to 24 inches tall and wide
Flower color: White
Glossy, maple-shaped leaves are brassy gold and red in spring and summer, topped by long-blooming delicate white flowers on dark red stems. As the temperatures drop in fall, the foliage shifts to shades of cinnamon and olive green, retaining its color through winter in milder climates.
Photo by: Anna Gratys / Shutterstock
'Stoplight'
Heucherella 'Stoplight'
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Part shade to shade
Height and spread: 6 inches tall, 14 inches wide
Flower color: White
Like a botanical traffic signal for the garden, ‘Stoplight’ truly lives up to its name with vivid red veining that stands out in bold contrast against bright yellow foliage. As the temperatures rise during the summer months, the leaves turn lime green while retaining their showy red markings.
“In order to preserve the striking colors of ‘Stoplight’ it is important to limit the amount of direct light; a few hours is optimal.” &emdash; Chicago Botanical Garden.
Photo by: photowind / Shutterstock
'Gunsmoke'
Heucherella 'Gunsmoke'
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Part shade to shade
Height and spread: 12 to 18 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide
Flower color: White
This striking cultivar brings a cool, silvery vibe to shaded garden spaces. New growth emerges in purplish red tones, then matures to a silver hue with dark, smoky veins. Thrives in part to full shade, but can tolerate some sun.
Photo by: AngieC333 / Shutterstock
'Solar Eclipse'
Heucherella 'Solar Eclipse'
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full sun to full shade
Height and spread: 8 to 10 inches tall, 16 inches wide
Flower color: White
A dramatic standout in the world of shade-loving perennials, featuring rich reddish-brown leaves with bold lime green borders. Scalloped, slightly ruffled leaf edges add texture and elegance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between Heuchera and Heucherella?
Heucherella is a cross between Heuchera, which provides the colorful foliage, and Tiarella, which contributes the beautiful leaf patterns and deeply lobed shape. In general, Heuchera can handle short periods of drought and some direct sun while most Heucherella prefer partial to full shade and consistently moist soil.
Is Heucherella poisonous?
No. It is not toxic to people or pets. But keep in mind that ingestion of any part of a non-edible plant may cause mild digestive upset. See more plants safe for pets.
Is Heucherella deer and rabbit resistant?
Yes, it is generally considered deer and rabbit resistant, much like its parent plants Heuchera and Tiarella. That’s because the leaves have a bitter taste and astringent compounds that deter nibbling. That said, no plant is completely immune from deer and rabbits, especially if food is scarce. See more deer-resistant plants.
Can I grow foamy bells in containers?
Absolutely! Most varieties stay under 24 inches tall and have a tidy, rounded form that fills containers beautifully without spilling over aggressively. And because they thrive in part to full shade, foamy bells are perfect for container plantings on patios, balconies, or porches that don’t get full sun.
How do I overwinter Heucherella in colder zones?
Apply a layer of mulch around the base of your plants to protect against freezing temperatures and prevent root heaving caused by freeze-thaw cycles. Also avoid cutting back the foliage in fall, since it acts as natural insulation.
Do I need to deadhead Heucherella flowers?
Deadheading Heucherella flowers isn’t strictly necessary, but it’s often beneficial. Removing spent blooms can prompt the plant to produce additional flowers later in the season. It also helps redirect energy back into foliage growth and keeps the plant looking neat and fresh.
How long does Heucherella live?
Because foamy bells is a hardy perennial, it can live for 4 to 5 years, and even longer under ideal conditions. Some varieties may be more robust than others, especially those bred for heat or humidity tolerance. Dividing your foamy bells every 3 to 4 years can help extend their lifespan by encouraging fresh root development.
What are good companion plants for foamy bells?
Foamy bells pair beautifully with a variety of shade-tolerant plants to create dynamic and visually interesting garden combinations. Great companions include hostas for their bold foliage contrast; ferns for their delicate, feathery texture; and Brunnera with its heart-shaped, silvery leaves. For added color and seasonal interest, mix in spring-blooming perennials like astilbe, lungwort, or bleeding heart. All these selections thrive in similar conditions—partial shade, consistent moisture, and rich soil—making care simple and uniform.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Balogh is a longtime gardening writer and editor for Garden Design, with over 20 years of experience covering everything from container planting to landscape trends. She draws inspiration from her own Zone 5 garden in Illinois, where she experiments with hardy perennials and flowering annuals.
