Light
This is the sedum for shade. It grows well in part shade, and NC State Extension rates it for full shade too, so it suits the ground under trees. It also tolerates sun. In the wild it lives in moist woods, ravines, stream banks and shaded rock ledges.
Water
Unlike most sedums, it's comfortable in soil that stays lightly moist, as long as water drains away. Once settled it seldom needs watering and rides out dry spells. Avoid soggy, poorly drained spots, where it rots.
Soil & pots
Average, well-drained soil suits it, and it's happy in rocky, poor ground. Use it to fill shady rock gardens, slopes, stone walls and native plant beds, setting plants 6–12 inches apart. In a container, give it the same shade and a mix that drains.
Temperature
Hardy in USDA zones 4–8 and tolerant of summer heat. In winter the older stems break away and die, but by then they've rooted along the way, and those new plants carry on in spring.
Is woodland stonecrop safe for pets?
Pet safety not yet confirmed. It isn't on the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant lists, and we haven't found a veterinary source. NC State Extension notes the leaves can upset the stomach if eaten in quantity and the sap can irritate some people's skin. We haven't found a reliable source yet, so keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.
Propagation
It spreads itself by creeping stems that root where they touch the ground, so new plants are easy to come by. Loose leaves root too, and it can be grown from seed.
- Dig up a rooted piece from the edge of the mat.
- Replant it 6–12 inches apart in shade and keep it moist until it settles.
- Or lay a snipped stem on moist soil. It roots at the leaf joints.
- For seed, collect the tiny dark seeds 2–3 weeks after flowering, air-dry them and store them sealed in the fridge.
Common problems
FAQ
Does Sedum ternatum grow in shade?
Yes, that's its specialty. It handles part shade and moist soil better than most sedums, and NC State Extension rates it for full shade too. It will also take some sun.
Is Sedum ternatum native to the US?
Yes. It grows wild from Maine to Georgia and west to Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas, and north into Ontario.
Is woodland stonecrop evergreen?
Partly. NC State Extension calls it semi-evergreen. The older stems break away and die in winter, but the pieces they rooted carry on.
Is Sedum ternatum deer resistant?
Yes. Missouri Botanical Garden and NC State Extension both list it as deer tolerant, and MBG adds rabbits.
When does Sedum ternatum bloom?
In spring, usually April to May. Clusters of small, white, star-shaped flowers with purplish stamens sit on three-branched stems just above the leaves.