Whorled Stonecrop
Sedum ternatum
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Perennial
Height
6 inches
Width
12 inches
Light
Partial Sun, Shade
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Water
Moderate
Humidity
Moderate to high
Lifespan
Long-lived perennial
Native To
Eastern North America
Toxicity
Non-toxic to humans and pets
The Story
Plant Bio
Sedum ternatum is a native North American stonecrop that forms a low, spreading mat of succulent green leaves arranged in distinctive whorls of three. Unlike most sedums, it thrives in shady, moist woodland conditions. This species is one of the few sedums adapted to shade, making it an invaluable groundcover for woodland gardens. Its delicate, star-like white flowers create a carpet of blooms in late spring, attracting native pollinators.
Bloom Period:
Uses & Benefits:
Marketplace
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Planting
How to Grow
- Choose a location with part to full shade.
- Ensure the soil is well-drained but retains some moisture.
- Dig a small hole for each plant, spacing them 6-9 inches apart.
- Set plants at the same depth they were in their containers.
- Backfill with soil and water gently to settle.
- Keep soil consistently moist during the first growing season to establish.
Pro Tip
Plant it in a shady spot where other sedums fail; it thrives in conditions that would cause rot in sun-loving varieties.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Provide consistent moisture, especially in drier shade.
- Allow it to self-seed and spread to form a natural groundcover.
- Plant under deciduous trees for ideal light conditions.
- Use as a living mulch around larger shade perennials.
Don't
- Do not plant in hot, direct, all-day sun.
- Avoid letting the soil dry out completely for extended periods.
- Do not use heavy wood mulch that can smother the low growth.
- Avoid deep cultivation around the shallow roots.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Propagate |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Whorled Stonecrop questions
What zones can Whorled Stonecrop grow in?
Whorled Stonecrop is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Whorled Stonecrop deer resistant?
Yes — Whorled Stonecrop is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Whorled Stonecrop bloom?
Whorled Stonecrop typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Whorled Stonecrop need full sun?
Whorled Stonecrop does best in part shade.
More Sedum to compare
Autumn Joy Stonecrop
Sedum telephium 'Autumn Joy'
Autumn Fire Stonecrop
Sedum spectabile 'Autumn Fire'
Red Wiggle Stonecrop
Sedum ochroleucum 'Red Wiggle'
Angelina Stonecrop
Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'
Dazzleberry Sedum
Sedum x rubrotinctum 'Dazzleberry'
Autumn Joy Sedum
Sedum telephium 'Herbstfreude'
Keep exploring
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Hardy in your zone?
Grow Whorled Stonecrop with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.
