Woodland stonecrop

Sun

Partial shade is best. Tolerates morning sun with adequate moisture; protect from strong afternoon sun in hot climates.

Water

Keep lightly moist while establishing. Established plants tolerate short dry spells, but prolonged drought can thin the mat.

Soil

Well-drained, humus-rich soil, including shallow or rocky ground. Avoid sites that stay waterlogged, particularly in winter.

Height

0.25-0.5 ft (0.08-0.15 m)

Spread

0.5-1 ft (0.15-0.3 m), eventually wider where stems root

Flowers

Spring to early summer; small, white, usually four-petalled flowers in branching clusters.

Foliage

Small, fleshy, rounded green leaves, commonly arranged in groups of three along creeping stems. Evergreen to semi-evergreen, with some winter loss in colder climates.

Growth

Moderate; creeping stems gradually form a mat.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Cold hardy
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   0.1 ft (0.03 m)

2. After 1 year

   0.2 ft (0.06 m)

3. After 2 years

   0.3 ft (0.1 m)

4. After 3 years

   0.4 ft (0.12 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

the US and Canada

In the garden

Spreads vigorously: plan to contain it.

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water new plants when the soil surface begins to dry, without leaving the roots saturated.
• Water established patches during prolonged dry weather, especially beneath trees.
• Apply a light dressing of leaf mould around plants in spring; keep their crowns uncovered.
• Avoid routine feeding; rich soil and heavy fertilising encourage loose growth.
• Remove heavy accumulations of fallen leaves and hand-weed until the mat fills in.
• Divide crowded or thinning patches after flowering or in early autumn.

Pruning. After flowering, snip off spent flower stems if you want a tidier mat. Trim wandering stems as needed and remove winter-damaged growth in spring.

Early spring

Remove damaged stems and any heavy covering of fallen leaves.

Spring

Plant in well-drained soil and water regularly while roots establish.

Late spring

After flowering, tidy spent stems and divide patches if needed.

Summer

Check moisture during long dry spells and water before the mat shrivels severely.

Early autumn

Replant rooted stem sections to fill gaps or extend a patch.

Winter

Check drainage and clear dense, wet leaf piles from the foliage.

• Use as a low carpet along a lightly shaded woodland path, away from foot traffic.
• Tuck into shaded rock crevices or beside boulders where its stems can trail.
• Plant beneath deciduous shrubs with small spring bulbs for successive flowers at ground level.
• Combine with ferns and small hostas for contrasting leaf shapes in a moist but well-drained border.
• Edge a shaded container where the foliage can spill over the rim.

Garden styles it suits: Woodland, Cottage garden, Wildlife garden, Low-maintenance, White garden and Small-space.

Plant it with: Christmas fern, Wild columbine, Foamflower, Small hostas, Snowdrops and Dwarf crested iris.

Wildlife: Flowers provide nectar and pollen for small bees and other insects. The low mat offers shelter for small invertebrates.

• Root or stem rot in waterlogged soil: improve drainage or move plants to a raised, freely draining position.
• Slugs and snails eating tender growth: remove hiding places, hand-pick at dusk, and use wildlife-conscious controls if needed.
• Scorched or shrivelled foliage in hot sun or drought: provide afternoon shade and water during prolonged dry spells.
• Sparse growth under dense shade or thick leaf litter: move to brighter shade and gently clear accumulated debris.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. No part is recognised as a significant poisoning hazard, but it is not a food plant; eating large amounts may cause stomach upset.

• White stonecrop (Sedum album)

  Has more cylindrical, bead-like leaves and usually five-petalled white flowers; woodland stonecrop has flatter, rounded leaves often grouped in threes and usually four-petalled flowers.

• Two-row stonecrop (Phedimus spurius)

  Has opposite leaves with noticeably toothed or scalloped edges and usually pink to reddish flowers; woodland stonecrop has mostly smooth-edged leaves and white flowers.

The species name ternatum means 'in threes', referring to the characteristic groups of three leaves along the stems.

Propagation. Divide rooted patches in spring or early autumn. Short, non-flowering stem cuttings root readily in a lightly moist, freely draining medium; stems also root naturally where they touch the soil.

Accepted botanical name

Sedum ternatum

In the US and Canada

Native in the lower 48 states. Introduced in Canada.

Native range

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine and Maryland.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.