Sedum ternatum (Woodland Stonecrop)

Scientific Name

Sedum ternatum Michx.

Common Name(s)

Three-leaved Stonecrop, Whorled Stonecrop, Wild Stonecrop, Woodland Stonecrop

Synonym(s)

Anacampseros ternata, Clausenella ternata, Clausenellia ternata, Show more

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Sedum

Origin

This species is native to the eastern United States. It occurs from Arkansas and Iowa, south down the Appalachian Mountains, and north to near the border with Canada, growing in deciduous forests at elevations between 165 and 5,580 feet (50 and 1,700 m).

Description

Sedum ternatum is a low-growing, often mat-forming succulent with decumbent, few-branched stems bearing terminal rosettes. The leaves are pale yellow-green to dark green and arranged in whorls of 3, rarely 2 or 4. They are spoon-shaped or elliptic, up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long and 0.4 inches (1 cm) wide. Flowers are star-shaped, usually 4-merous, white with red or purple anthers, and appear in clusters on erect stems above the foliage in spring. All parts of the plant are finely papillose.

Sedum ternatum (Woodland Stonecrop) — *Photo via rosekennedygreenway.org*

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 4a to 9b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 30 °F (−1.1 °C).

How to Grow and Care

When growing Sedums, keep in mind that these plants need very little attention or care. They will thrive in conditions many other plants thrive in but do just as well in less hospitable areas. They are ideal for that part of your yard that gets too much sun or too little water to grow anything else. A common name for Sedum is Stonecrop because many gardeners joke that only stones need less care and live longer.

Sedum is easily planted. For shorter varieties, simply laying the plant on the ground where you want it to grow is usually enough to get the plant started there. They will send out roots from wherever the stem touches the ground and root itself. If you want to ensure that the plant will start there, you can add a very thin soil covering.

You can break off one of the stems for taller varieties and push it into the ground where you want to grow it. The stem will root very easily, and a new plant will be established in a season or two.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Sedum.