Foamflower vs Lilyturf

Foamflower and Lilyturf are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover, flowers, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Illustration of Foamflower

Foamflower

Tiarella cordifolia 30 cm × 45 cm after 10 years

A woodland ground cover with maple-like leaves that last through mild winters and airy, foamy spikes of white or pink flowers floating above them in…

Ground cover
Part shade
Shade
from about CZK 170
Illustration of Lilyturf

Lilyturf

Liriope muscari 45 cm × 45 cm after 10 years

A clump-forming perennial with dark green, grass-like leaves that copes with part shade and shade under trees and carries spikes of purple flowers…

Ground cover
Part shade
Shade
from about CZK 210

Key differences

  • Lilyturf grows larger: 45 cm × 45 cm after ten years, against 30 cm × 45 cm for Foamflower.

  • Foamflower is hardier: down to -34 °C, against -23 °C for Lilyturf.

  • Lilyturf copes better with summer heat than Foamflower (an estimate: sources differ).

  • Lilyturf tolerates drought better than Foamflower.

  • Lilyturf also takes heavy clay, Foamflower needs a loose, free-draining soil.

  • Foamflower is cheaper: about CZK 170 at the size usually planted, against about CZK 240 for Lilyturf.

Which one to choose?

Foamflower is the better choice if space is tight, the garden is cold or a frost pocket or price matters.

Lilyturf is the better choice if the spot is hot and sunny, you cannot water regularly or the soil is heavy clay.

Watch out for

Foamflower
It scorches and then disappears in soil that dries out and in sun, yet rots in ground that stays wet in winter. Vine weevil grubs can eat the roots and slugs the young leaves, and powdery mildew appears occasionally. In Central Europe the foliage browns in hard winters without snow: cut off the damaged leaves in spring.
Lilyturf
Winter hardiness is borderline in Central Europe: in hard frost without snow cover the foliage browns and in exposed spots the crown can be damaged, so plant it in a sheltered place and mulch it for the first winter. Slugs and snails feed on it, and leaf rot or crown rot can occur in waterlogged soil.

The data side by side

Feature
Foamflower
Lilyturf
Group Ground cover Ground cover
Size after 10 years 30 cm × 45 cm 45 cm × 45 cm
Ultimate size 15–45 cm × 30–60 cm (uncertain) 30–45 cm × 30–45 cm
Growth rate Medium (uncertain) Medium (uncertain)
Light Part shade, Shade Part shade, Shade
Soil Average garden soil, Acidic Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Acidic
Hardiness down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance Low (uncertain) High
Foliage Semi-evergreen (uncertain) Semi-evergreen (uncertain)
Flowering April–June, white, pink (uncertain) August–October, purple
Water need Medium Medium
Drought tolerance Low High
Maintenance Low Low
Planting distance 30 cm 30 cm
For dogs no data Non-toxic
For cats no data Non-toxic
For children no data Mildly toxic
Typical price approx. CZK 170 approx. CZK 240

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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