Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Western trillium.
Trillium ovatum
Pronounced TRIL-ee-um oh-VAY-tum
Also known as Coast Trillium, Coast Wakerobin, Pacific Trillium, Pacific Wakerobin, Western White Trillium, Western White Wakerobin, White Trillium, western trillium
The western trillium is a lovely woodland perennial that signals the arrival of spring in the Pacific Northwest. It features a single stem topped by three broad leaves and a delicate white flower. You will find it thrives best in cool, shaded forest floors.
At a glance
- Care level
- Moderate
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Indoor light
- Medium light
- Water
- Every 5 to 10 days
- Mature size
- 12 to 18 inches
- Growth rate
- Slow
Care
Keep the soil consistently moist and mimic a woodland environment with plenty of organic matter. Watch for wilting leaves which indicate the soil has dried out too much. Ensure the plant stays cool, as it dislikes intense summer heat.
- Watering
- Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy.
- Feeding
- Apply a light layer of compost in early spring.
- Pruning
- Remove dead foliage only after it has turned yellow and died back naturally.
- Repotting
- Only repot if the rhizomes become too crowded in their container.
- Soil
- Rich, acidic, well-draining woodland soil
- Soil pH
- 5.5 to 6.5
Safety
- Pets
- This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
How to identify it
- Three broad, egg shaped leaves
- Single white flower turning pink
- Flower petals are ovate
- Stems rise from underground rhizomes
Science
- Family
- Melanthiaceae
- Genus
- Trillium
- Order
- Liliales
- Class
- Liliopsida
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Also in
Is your western trillium looking unwell?
This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.
This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.