Easily grown as an annual by sowing seeds outdoors in spring. Full sun, well-drained, sandy, rocky,k or gravelly soil. Other species may prefer humus-rich, moist soil. A woodland native perennial with a spikelike cluster of tiny, white, foamy flowers at the tip of each arching stem. The 3-6 inch clasping leaves are often purple where they meet the stem.
Red berries appear in summer.
Partial sun to full shade, with some afternoon shade in warm climates. Smilacina will grow in full sun but will be smaller. Mulch plants during winter in cooler climates. T. grandiflorum has 2-3 inch flowers that turn deep pink with age. Partial sun to full shade.