How much sun does Sweet after death need?

Sweet after death grows best in shade conditions.

When does Sweet after death bloom?

Sweet after death blooms in April, May, and June.

Where is Sweet after death native?

Sweet after death (Achlys triphylla) is native to CA, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Sweet after death attract?

Sweet after death draws small bees and flies.

Sweet after death

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Achlys triphylla

Last reviewed: November 2026

Sweet after death (Achlys triphylla) is a perennial forb native to CA, OR, WA. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw small bees and flies.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Sweet after death, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Sweet after death (Achlys triphylla) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

shade

Water

medium

Size

8"–16" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

CA, OR, WA

Pollinators

small bees, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Sweet after death.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains

A rhizomatous forest-floor groundcover with distinctive three-part fan-shaped leaves that smell of vanilla when dried, spreading slowly into a neat colony. Slender white flower spikes rise above the foliage in spring.

Growing Sweet after death

Grow Sweet after death in shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 8 to 16 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide.

Wildlife value

The small spring flowers provide nectar for shade-tolerant bees and flies early in the season.

Common questions

How much sun does Sweet after death need?: Sweet after death grows best in shade conditions.
When does Sweet after death bloom?: Sweet after death blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Sweet after death native?: Sweet after death (Achlys triphylla) is native to CA, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Sweet after death attract?: Sweet after death draws small bees and flies.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Sweet after death? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app