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Trillium pusillum (Dwarf Trillium)
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© Tara Rose Littlefield, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Perennials

Trillium pusillum

Dwarf Trillium

Melanthiaceae
Southeastern United States — Virginia south to the Carolinas

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitClumping
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 inches (10-20 cm)
Width4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Trillium pusillum is the dwarf trillium — the smallest trillium species in eastern North America, growing just 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall and 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) wide. The species name 'pusillum' means 'very small'. Tiny white to pale pink flowers on a short stalk (pedicellate — not sessile) appear above a whorl of three narrow lance-shaped medium green leaves in March and April. The diminutive scale — smaller than any other eastern trillium — makes this a collector's miniature woodland wildflower. The narrow lance-shaped leaves (rather than the broad leaves of most trilliums) are a separating trait. The species is considered rare or uncommon through much of its range; nursery-propagated plants are the only sustainable source. Spring ephemeral — dormant by early summer. The tiny scale means this is easily overlooked unless planted at close-viewing height. Moist, humus-rich, acidic woodland soil. Mildly toxic. Deer may eat the foliage.

Native Range

Trillium pusillum is native to the southeastern United States — from Virginia south to the Carolinas.

Suggested Uses

Used in woodland gardens, alpine-style shade plantings, and close-viewing positions. A collector's miniature woodland wildflower. Pairs with other diminutive shade plants for a tiny treasures garden.

How to Identify

Identified by tiny white to pale pink stalked flowers on the smallest (4-8 inches / 10-20 cm) trillium, with a whorl of three narrow lance-shaped leaves. The diminutive size, narrow leaf shape, and stalked (not sessile) flowers are the combined identifiers. The smallest eastern trillium.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 8"
Width/Spread4" - 6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

dormant

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
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Spring
Flowering in March and April, approximately 3 weeks. Tiny white to pale pink stalked flowers. Dormant by early summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale pink, small, pedicellate (stalked), nodding to upright

Foliage Description

Medium green, in a whorl of three, narrow and lance-shaped

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial ShadeFull Shade
Requires 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loam
Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial to full shade. Moist, humus-rich, acidic woodland soil. Wild collection damages native populations; nursery-propagated plants are the only sustainable source. Planting at close-viewing height lets the miniature scale show.

Pruning

No pruning needed. Foliage dies back naturally.

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans