Sweet after death

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Achlys triphylla

Last reviewed: August 2026

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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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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.

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.

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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.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides