Species green trillium
lime-green leaves and yellow flower with burgundy center

green trillium

Trillium viride

Green trillium (Trillium viride) is an herbaceous perennial plant native to North America. It is common in moist woods and along streams and is easily identified by its bright green, three-petaled flower and whorled leaves. Flowers bloom in April and May, followed by dark blue or black berries. As the leaves die back in autumn, a deep purple color takes over the plant. It is a low-maintenance plant that requires little care and can survive decades in the wild.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Greenish, sometimes with yellow tinge Flowers

Sun:

Part shade,full shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water green trillium when the top inch of soil is dry. During the summer months, water when the soil is completely dry and then water deeply until the soil is soaked, but not overly saturated. In the winter when the foliage has died back and the plant is dormant, water only enough to keep the soil slightly moist. Over-watering green trillium will lead to root rot and death of the plant.

sunlight

Green trillium, also known as Trillium viride, typically thrives with 4-7 hours of sunlight per day. Optimal conditions for this species include morning sun and afternoon shade with indirect light throughout the day. A good location for this plant could be in the shade of a tree or bush to create a dappled, filtered light effect. As with most plants, exposure to too much sunlight could damage the foliage, so consistent monitoring is the best practice.

pruning

Green trillium (Trillium viride) is a low-growing, short-lived perennial wildflower. Pruning is essential for the health of the plant and for its longevity. The best time for pruning green trillium is in the late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. When pruning green trillium, only remove the dead, damaged, and diseased portions of the plant. By selectively pruning, you can also control the size and shape of the plant. You should make your cuts at the buds just above the ground level. This will allow for healthy new growth in the spring. Green trillium is also a great plant for naturalizing, so it's important to leave the majority of the foliage and stems if you plan on allowing it to grow and spread. Additionally, pruning off the old flower stems is recommended to help promote flowering in the future. It's best to not prune more than a third of the foliage in 1 season. Overall, it is recommended that you lightly prune green trilliums regularly. This will help to maintain their growth and overall health.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Green trillium typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map