With over 41,000 fires having burned more than 3.9 million acres across the United States so far this year, many folk are turning to the idea of firescaping their home gardens. Traditionally, we’ve planted thick borders of flowering shrubs and perennials around our houses. Beautiful? Yes. Flammable? Very. And there’s a new approach that is far more fire-resistant, and you still get flowers.

The US Fire Administration (USFA) recommends reducing combustible vegetation near your home to create a defensible space to slow or stop wildfires. It cites Zone 1 – the ground immediately around your home, up to 5 feet away – as the most critical area to reduce risk to the home during a wildfire. Have a think about this part of your yard and, if it's packed with woody shrubs and perennials that could fuel flames, it might be time you considered firescaping this area with the water-filled foliage of sedums instead.

You see – and I was so shocked when I discovered this – up to 90% of ignitions from wildfires are caused by embers, according to USFA. So, siting the water-filled, non-flammable leaves of sedums in the area immediately around your home makes good sense. And what do you know, sedums are one of the most low-maintenance plants on the planet, and they’re pretty as well as practical. Firescaping is a part of landscaping design we're expecting to see boom this summer as there's no telling how long this heatwave weather will last for, and sedums are such a smart and easy solution.

What is Sedum?

Sedums, commonly known as stonecrops, form a huge group of succulent plants with thick leaves and stems that store lots of water. They fall into two types: low-growing, spreading groundcover plants, and taller clumping varieties – and it’s those low growers we’re interested in here.

There are hundreds of sedums to choose from, with clusters of tiny, star-shaped flowers in white, yellow, pink and purple, typically in summer through fall, that pollinators adore. The foliage is just as attractive as the flowers, many with striking colors from lime green and burgundy to deep bronze. Spreading into a resilient mat, the foliage brings fabulous texture, too, and some varieties are evergreen, depending on your zone.

Why is Sedum Fire-Resistant?

Sedums evolved to flourish in semi-arid climates so their ability to store moisture means these plants can go months without rain. That high water content is also very helpful when it comes to resisting ignition and, planted en masse, can help to slow the spread of flames.

Their drought-tolerance plays a crucial part in their ability to resist fire, too, because stonecrops can thrive even through a hot, dry summer. Because sedums are groundcover plants that act as a living mulch, they lock moisture in the soil and keep it cool, too, further increasing their resilience. And that’s an important factor, because even the most fire-resistant plants become highly combustible in a drought-stricken, dried-out state.

Another factor that makes sedum so fire-resistant is that it lacks combustible oils and resins that many evergreen trees and fragranced shrubs contain.

While there’s no one plant that’s considered the most fire-resistant, because of variations in growing conditions across the US, sedum is right up there in most climates. And while there’s no standardized measure of plant flammability, because of its resilience as well as its ability to hold moisture, sedum is widely considered to be one of the most fire-resistant plants in America, and recommended by safety organizations and fire chiefs for fire-conscious landscaping.

Which Sedum is Best?

Low-growing sedums are better for fire resistance than taller sedums which have woodier stems. There are sedums for indoor as well as outdoor growing, as well as annual and perennial types, so do read the label or online description when shopping to ensure you're buying a hardy plant that last year after year in your zone. So the best sedum for you is the one that will naturally thrive year-round in your garden, because a happy plant will be full of moisture.

Also, choose what you love, because then you’re more likely to grow more of it! And all these sedums are super-easy to dig up, divide and replant to create free plants, so you can increase your firescaped area without spending a fortune.

It’s best to buy plants as you need to be super-patient to raise sedums from the dust-small seeds.

Best For Foliage Color

Best For Flowers

Best For Foliage Texture

How to Plant Sedum to Maximise Fire Resistance

All sedums need to flourish is well-draining soil and at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Happily, creating those well-drained conditions marry well with a non-combustible environment. Mix horticultural grit or sand into your soil if the drainage needs improving, and use pea gravel rather than bark as a mulch, and growing sedums couldn't be simpler.

Sedums are so drought-tolerant, you can even create a fully firescaped Zone 1 with paving or gravel punctuated with planting pockets of potting soil. This creates the ultimate low-maintenance, fire-resistant foundation planting. For a modern look, consider adding angular metal edging to contain the spreading sedums in neat geometric shapes.

Another creative idea is to pair sedum with gravel and rocks and pebbles of different sizes to create a dry river.

It’s a smart move to use these succulent plants around highly combustible garden areas, too, such as decking and wooden summerhouses. Sedum can also be used to create living roofs, further helping to slow fire, and forms great groundcover to suppress weeds in any well-drained border.

To maximise fire resistance, clear any dead material – the thatch – from plants every spring. Keep weed free and, while sedum is one of the most drought-tolerant plants you can buy and survives on minimal water, it’s wise to irrigate occasionally through very dry periods in peak fire season to keep those leaves plump with moisture.

You’ll also need to keep your sedum plants watered to begin with, while they grow roots deep enough into the ground to source their own moisture supply.

Trying to choose the best types of sedums for sustainable gardening is enough to make you feel like a kid in a candy shop. Whether sprawled like carpets of color amidst rocks or bobbling delicately along path edgings, sedums have a peerless reputation for flourishing in situations that challenge countless other plants.   

Making more of plants that don’t rely on constant irrigation is one key way we can enjoy our gardens while being more switched on to sustainable living. Thanks to their natural drought-tolerance, the sedums in this selection thrive in a range of hardiness zones, poor soils and gardening projects, in places where you might struggle to grow many other plants. You can plant sedums in rockeries and gravel gardens, on slopes and in compact containers, within the cracks of crumbling walls, as part of inventive xeriscaping plots, and even on green roof gardens. 

Such is their versatility, these sedum (aka stonecrop) varieties work just as well in modest, compact settings as they do in ambitious, eco-driven projects. Capable of neon yellow and deep purple foliage here, or a froth of hot pink flowers there, many upright sedum varieties also service a host of pollinators such as butterflies and honeybees. So whichever direction your planting inclinations take you, this collection of sustainably smart upright and creeping sedum varieties is sure to hit the spot.

Selecting the Very Best Types of Sedum for Sustainable Ornamentals

Although there is a bit of an overlap, most stonecrop varieties fall into one of two groups. There are the mat-forming, creeping rock garden sedums, and the upright, pollinator-friendly plants which often present with fluffier flower heads. Ground cover sedum varieties (rock garden sedums) are generally more compact, although they spread quickly, making them ideal for gravel gardens, patios, pathways and pots. 

Upright floriferous types are so distinct, scientists recently concluded that they deserved their own name (Hylotelephium). Both Hylotelephium varieties and rock garden sedums are included in this selection because, as stonecrop plants, they have superior resilience in often-extreme conditions – not to mention their overall suitability for sustainably minded planting.    

‘These plants are prized for their quick establishment and set-it-and-forget-it nature’ says Gardening Know How’s Bonnie Grant. ‘They can burst with life even in the cracks of a wall, and their leaves allow them to store water and thrive in the hottest, driest locations.’ Read on for our pick of the best sustainable sedums.

1. October Daphne (Hylotelephium Sieboldii)

• Hardiness: 3-9
• Height: 12in (30cm)
• Great for: Pots and pollinator gardens

Combining the most distinctive elements of both floriferous and creeping stonecrop varieties, sun-loving October Daphne (Hylotelephium sieboldii, formerly Sedum sieboldii) is a striking choice for sustainable gardening. Its round, flat, succulent blue-green leaves have distinctive pink edges. These are complemented by frothy pink flowers which bloom in summer. Perfect for a butterfly garden, this pollinator-friendly plant is also happy as ground cover and in containers.

2. Sedum 'Ogon'

• Hardiness: 6-9
• Height: 2in (5cm)
• Great for: Easy ground cover and walls

An abundance of dainty, multifaceted leaf color makes this one of the liveliest types of sedum for ground cover. Packed with clusters of lime, burgundy and gold notes, Sedum makinoi 'Ogon' is a lively addition to rock gardens and looks especially striking in container garden arrangements, tumbling over the edges of a terracotta pot or glazed ceramic planter. Happy in full sunshine and partial shade, this mass of jewel-like foliage is joined with petite gold blooms in summer.

3. Hylotelephium ‘Purple Emperor’

• Hardiness: 3-9
• Height: 15in (38cm)
• Great for: Pollinator gardens and floral beds

Pollinator-friendly Purple Emperor is another one of the stonecrop varieties that is now defined as Hylotelephium. Bees and butterflies adore its copious plumes of deep pink petals bursting forth from lush purple foliage between summer and fall. ‘These plants do best in poor, well-draining, sandy to rocky soil,’ says Liz Baessler, Gardening Know How’s Senior Editor. ‘If they grow in soil that is too fertile, they will put out too much growth and become weak and floppy.’

4. Sedum ‘Angelina’

• Hardiness: 5-9
• Height: 6in (15cm)
• Great for: Rockeries and containers

An almost-luminescent golden glow sets this evergreen perennial apart from other types of sedum. Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ develops a shock of near-neon yellow flowers in summer, which develop hues of pink and copper during the fall. Sun-thirsty Angelina prefers full sunshine, but can cope with partial shade, although this might result in greener displays. Gorgeous in xeriscaping plots, container gardens, gravel plots, rockeries or even just bulging forth from flower beds in carpets of cyber gold.

5. Hylotelephium ‘Vera Jameson’

• Hardiness: 3-9
• Height: 12in (30cm)
• Great for: Borders, containers and edging

Another of the fluffy-headed Hylotelephium stonecrop varieties, 'Vera Jameson' adds a pop of interest to beds, borders, pots and patios. Blue-green foliage shifts to purple during the fall, with burgundy stems supporting dusky pink flowers in summer. Charming Vera Jameson is happy in full sunshine, sandy soils and gravel-based settings. ‘This sedum takes extremes of heat and cold in stride,’ says Gardening Know How’s Mary Ellen Ellis. ‘Once established, it won’t need to be watered.’

6. Palmer’s Sedum

• Hardiness: 8-11
• Height: 8-10in (20-25cm)
• Great for: Rockeries and containers

Palmer’s sedum (Sedum palmeri) is one of the most dramatic fleshy-leaved types of sedum to grow in rock gardens and containers. This trailing herbaceous perennial has fleshy succulent leaves which support cascading golden flowers in late winter and early spring. It can thrive in partial shade, although plentiful sunshine is the best way to ensure that intense floral color in the early weeks of the year. As a tonal treat, its dusty foliage takes on pinkish tints where it grows in extended sunshine.

7. Sedum ‘Dragon’s Blood’

• Hardiness: 4-9
• Height: 6in (15cm)
• Great for: Beds and borders

Feisty Sedum spurium presents with a blaze of rich bronze, green and purple foliage. These succulent-style leaves shift in intensity from summer to fall. This is coupled with zingy hot pink flowers from mid-to-late summer. One of the best types of sedum for quickly developing a thick ground cover, sun-guzzling Dragon’s Blood is also well suited to slopes, rockeries and dry soils. This carpet-style creeping perennial is also a popular choice for coastal gardens.

8. Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude'

• Hardiness: 3-9
• Height: 2ft (60cm)
• Great for: Pollinator gardens and mixed beds

One of the classic stonecrop varieties, Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude’ (or ‘Autumn Joy’ as it is also known) is a garden pollinator’s dream. It presents with juicy pink blooms in late summer which become copper in the fall. This hardy upright stonecrop grows up to two feet (60cm) tall, so it’s great for flower beds, raised beds and rock gardens. Growing Autumn Joy well just relies on ensuring that it receives a little afternoon shade as well as copious sunshine, to keep its foliage and flowers looking their best.

9. Sedum ‘Dream Dazzler’ (SunSparkler Series)

• Hardiness: 4-9
• Height: 6-8in (15-20cm)
• Great for: Gravel gardens and rockeries

Gorgeous as a focal point for a gravel garden and as ground cover, ‘Dream Dazzler’ is one of the best types of sedum to choose for a long season of drought-tolerant color. With its funky pink-edged succulent leaves and hot pink flowers from late summer to fall, there is something joyfully glam rock about this rockery favorite. Foliage varies from green to purple, depending on sun exposure and the time of year. It can also flourish in a mixed border or as part of a playful xeriscaping project.

10. Sedum Ternatum

• Hardiness: 4-8
• Height: 6in (15cm)
• Great for: Rock gardens and garden walls

While many stonecrop varieties thrive in full sunshine, Sedum ternatum (also known as wild stonecrop) is one sedum you can happily plant in light or partial shade. It is also happier in moist ground conditions than many of its sedum comrades. Its bright green rounded leaves are complemented in early summer by delicate sprays of starry white blooms which seem to glow in quiet corners. Lovely as ground cover and as part of a rockery, this stonecrop looks charming tumbling from a stone wall, too. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re looking for a low care succulent to bring inside for the winter and locate on the floor, consider choosing a Sedum tree. Well-known succulent trees, “Sedum Frutescens” and “Sedum Dendroideum” are actually small succulent shrubs. These are commonly called Tree Stonecrop succulents, False Hens and Chicks and Joshua Tree. These specimens are native to Mexico but are reportedly naturalized in California and likely other states in the US.

Sedum Dendroideum 

These can grow to three feet (.9 m.) in height in the right container and spread to three to four feet (.9 to 1.2 m.) across. While many Stonecrop varieties are hardy in cold temperatures, the Dendroideum and Frutescens need to avoid temperatures that drop to frost (42°F or 0° C). Otherwise, you can grow these outside in the full sun with filtered sun being preferred. Plant them in areas with poor or sandy soil where nothing else tends to do well.

Grow Dendroideum and Frutescens outside year-round in Hardiness Zones 10 and 11. Lower zones should plan indoor winter accommodations. 

As with other sedum types, the Dendroideum is forgiving of conditions that aren’t exactly part of their requirements, and will most likely thrive in any appropriate location. The plant is evergreen and blooms in late winter.

Plant these in gritty soil amended with pumice or coarse sand. Water in, then allow this drought-tolerant specimen to show you when it needs water. Wrinkled leaves indicate it needs water, but full leaves let you know it has plenty of water stored in them for the future. As you know, too much water is the leading cause of root rot and death in succulent plants. 

Sedum Frutescens

An unusual plant, this plant is sometimes considered rare, especially when grown as a houseplant. It is also evergreen and drought tolerant and doesn’t tolerate frost. Conditions and moving times similar to the dendrobium are appropriate for the Joshua tree also.

This plant has arborescent stems, and is often used for bonsai. Plant in a container and bring indoors for an interesting potted tree succulent for the winter. 

Place both in filtered light to full sun and avoid watering while you have them inside. Many sedum types only need watering once a month or less in winter. Both bloom in late winter, so water once as blooms form. You may also add a light round of liquid fertilizer to make blooms last longer. This is the only time you should fertilize sedum succulents. 

With tree sedums growing in the garden, plan ahead for when it’s time to bring them inside for the winter. Plant them in decorative pots that will work with the décor of your indoors so you don’t need to repot before bringing them inside.

Don’t confuse Yucca brevifolia with Sedum Frutescens, as it is also sometimes called Joshua tree. This is a succulent and is the largest of the Yucca species. This plant sometimes reaches more than 30 feet (9 m.) in height.

Do you want to liven up your windowsill or garden border? Are you looking for low, mounding succulents that have a strong punch of bright color? Sedum ‘Firestorm’ is a variety of succulent bred specifically for its vibrant red margins that only get more impressive in full sun. Keep reading to learn more about growing a Firestorm sedum plant.

What is a Sedum ‘Firestorm’ Plant?

Firestorm sedum plants (Sedum adolphii ‘Firestorm’) are a special cultivar of the species Golden sedum, a low growing, sun loving, succulent plant. Reaching a maximum height of around 8 inches (20 cm.), this plant spreads out with many rosettes on stems, sometimes ranging to about 2 feet (61 cm.) in diameter. This growth habit makes it ideal for groundcover or pleasantly undulating borders in garden beds. It also grows well in containers.

Firestorm sedums are green at the center, with leaf edges that range from yellow to vivid red. The color of the edges spreads and gets brighter with more sun exposure and in cooler temperatures. In the spring, they will produce round clusters of small, white, star-shaped flowers that offer a striking contrast to the red and green of the foliage.

Firestorm Sedum Care

Firestorm sedums are relatively low maintenance, as long as conditions are right. These plants are frost tender and should only be grown outdoors in USDA zone 10a and above.

They do best (and are at their most beautiful) in spots with full sun exposure. Like many sedum plants, they are drought tolerant and grow well in sandy, poor soil.

They have a low, spreading habit, and several plants spaced a foot (31 cm.) or so from each other will eventually grow into a very pleasant mounding groundcover formation that looks especially nice along borders.

In cooler climates, they should be grown in containers with very good drainage, placed in a sunny spot, and watered only when soil is completely dry to the touch. Bring the containers indoors before the first frost.

Stringy stonecrop sedum (Sedum sarmentosum) is a low-growing, matting or trailing perennial with small, fleshy leaves. In mild climates, stringy stonecrop stays green year-round. This fast-growing plant, also known as graveyard moss, star sedum or gold moss, is easy to grow and thrives in borders. You can also plant stringy stonecrop sedum in containers (which is a good idea if you’re concerned about the aggressive nature of this sedum). Stingy stonecrop is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. Read on to learn more.

Is Stringy Stonecrop Invasive?

There’s a reason why this plant is also known as spreading stringy stonecrop. Some people appreciate stringy sedum groundcover for its chartreuse foliage and yellow blooms, as well as its ability to grow and keep weeds in check, even in difficult spots like rocky slopes or hot, dry, thin soil. Stingy stonecrop also performs well between stepping stones and pavers, and can tolerate a certain amount of foot traffic. However, keep in mind that stringy stonecrop is a bee magnet, so it may not be a good plant for children’s’ play areas. Think twice before growing stringy sedum groundcover if you prefer a tidy, well-behaved garden. Stringy stonecrop in gardens can be extremely invasive and can easily out-compete timid plants, including some of your favorite perennials. It has become a serious problem in some areas of the eastern and southern United States.

Growing Stringy Stonecrop Plants

Plant stringy sedum groundcover in full sun or partial shade, as long as the plant receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. Stringy stonecrop sedum needs dry, well-drained soil. Like most succulents, it doesn’t like wet feet and is likely to rot in soggy soil. Dig in a generous amount of sand or grit to improve drainage. Keep the soil moist for a few weeks, or until stringy stonecrop is established. Thereafter, this groundcover is drought-tolerant, but benefits from occasional irrigation during hot, dry weather. Fertilize your sedum groundcover once or twice during the growing season using a low-nitrogen fertilizer, if needed.

The genus Sedum is a widely varied group of succulent plants. Coppertone sedum plants have outstanding color and form, plus amazingly forgiving cultivation requirements. USDA zones 10 and 11 are suitable for growing Coppertone succulents, but they make excellent houseplants for the northern gardener. Read on for more Coppertone stonecrop info, including planting and care.

Coppertone Stonecrop Info

Stonecrop plants come in sizes that are knee high to just a couple of inches (5 cm.) from the ground. Coppertone sedum plants grow 8 inches (20 cm.) tall with short stems that support large rosettes of nearly 2 inches across (5 cm.). These rosettes are the source of the name, as they can be yellowish green, but in full sun turn an orange rust or copper-like tone. The unique hue provides a startling contrast to common green succulents, like jade plants, or as a complement to the alien looking euphorbia. Sedum nussbaumerianum is native to Mexico and is perfect for dish gardens, desert landscapes, and even Mediterranean themes. It was first discovered in 1907 but was not named until 1923 as a tribute to Ernst Nussbaumer, head gardener at Bremen Botanic Garden. The stems of the rosettes are rusty brown and wiry and those rosettes multiply every year until a mature plant has many pups clustered around her. In time, the plant becomes a low growing shrub 2 to 3 foot (61-91 cm.) wide. Starry, slightly scented, flowers with pink-blushed anthers appear in spring.

Growing Coppertone Succulents

This versatile plant requires full sun to bring out the orange tones but has a bright yellow green in partial shade. In warmer regions, the plant will cascade down a rockery or tumble out of a vertical wall. Sedums are even used in roof gardens, where the heat generated from roofing material would punish most other plants. Outdoor plants look charming dotted around paving stones or tumbling along the edges of paths. Place them at the fronts of beds with larger sun-loving plants at the rear. Indoor plants can hold their own in a container or be part of a dish garden with several other types of desert denizens nestled together.

Caring for a Coppertone Succulent

Like most succulents, Coppertone is a very tolerant plant with few needs. The main requirement is well-draining soil. Containers should have prominent drainage holes and the growing medium must be partially gritty to allow excess water to easily percolate through it. Choose a container that is unglazed in order to encourage evaporation of excess moisture. Water infrequently but deeply. These plants need half the water in winter when they are dormant. If you wish to start more of these cute plants, separate a rosette from the parent and simply lay it on gritty growing medium. In time, it will send out roots and establish itself.

Dragon's Blood stonecrop (Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood') is an exciting and attractive ground cover, spreading quickly in the sunny landscape and growing happily in many areas of the U.S. Sedum Dragon's Blood awakens from dormancy in spring with green leaves and red flowers to follow. Leaves become outlined in burgundy, and the colors fill in during the summer to become a deep burgundy by autumn.

Sedum ‘Dragon’s Blood’ Info

A sedum well suited to USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8, Dragon's Blood sedum plants die back during winter in colder spots but return with vigor to get going again in spring. New sprouts continue to spread, covering those sunny, poor soil areas as summer continues. Growing Dragon's Blood sedum fills in between pathways, trails down walls, and covers rock gardens, combined with other spreading sedums or alone. Dragon's Blood stonecrop doesn't like foot traffic but happily spreads around pavers. Of the Caucasian stonecrop (S. spurium) family, sedum ‘Dragon's Blood’ is a creeping or two-row sedum variety, meaning it is tolerant of urban conditions. Poor soil, heat, or strong sun aren’t a challenge for this creeping beauty. In fact, this plant needs sun to maintain its deep color. Areas with the hottest summer sun, however, might provide some afternoon shade during this time.

How to Grow Dragon’s Blood

Choose your sunny, well-draining spot and break it up. Amend compacted soil with compost and sand until you get quick drainage. Roots won’t need deep soil when planted as cuttings, but the roots of mature stonecrop may reach a foot (30.5 cm) or so in depth. Cuttings should be an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm.) in length. You may choose to root cuttings before planting, both in water or soil. If planting by division, dig as deep as the clump you’re planting. When growing from the tiny seeds, scatter a few in the rock garden or soil and keep moist until you see sprouts. When roots develop, an occasional misting will suffice, and soon the ground cover is ready to take off on its own, climbing rocks and devouring weeds in its path. Dragon's Blood stonecrop forms a mat as it spreads, keeping weeds shaded and choked out. If you want to grow taller specimens within the mat, keep the sedum detained with pruning and even pulling. Should an unwanted spread begin, block the roots. Blocking only goes so far for keeping Dragon's Blood contained, but it has not reportedly spread to the point of being invasive. If you’re concerned about the spread, keep Dragon's Blood sedum plants in outdoor containers. They are an attractive addition to any sun/part sun spot in your outdoor garden and well-worth growing somewhere.

Succulent growers love the sedum jelly bean plant (Sedum rubrotinctum). Colorful chubby, little red-tipped leaves that look like jelly beans make it a favorite. It is sometimes called pork-n-beans because the leaves sometimes turn bronze in summer. Others refer to it as Christmas cheer. Whatever you call it, jelly bean sedums make for an unusual plant in an arrangement or in a pot by itself.

About Jelly Bean Sedums

Jelly bean plant facts indicate this plant is a cross of Sedum pachyphyllum and Sedum stahlii, As such, it’s another candidate for neglect and does best without too much attention. Six- to eight-inch (15-20 cm.) stems grow upward and lean when leaves weigh it down. Small yellow flowers appear abundantly in winter to spring during the early years of growth.

Planting and Caring for Jelly Bean Plants

Grow the sedum jelly bean plant in containers or plant it in the ground. Those in areas with cold winters might grow it as an annual or dig up and transplant into pots in autumn. Sedum is easy to plant, in most cases burying a stem is all you need to get it started. Avoid watering for a week or two after planting. Sedum jelly bean plant needs a sunny spot to maintain colorful leaves. Sedum varieties often grow in areas of the landscape where nothing else survives because of hot, dry conditions. You can also use the jellybean plant in partially shaded areas for a pop of color, just plant someplace where a few hours of the sun can reach the plant. In the hottest climates, this succulent needs some shade in summer. Jelly bean sedums turn green all over when not enough light reaches them. Succulent jelly bean care involves limited watering. If rain is available to the plant, additional water is probably not needed. When possible, allow an extended dry period between waterings. Grow this specimen in fast-draining soil mixes, such as sand, perlite, or pumice mixed with peat and a limited amount of potting soil. Pests are rare on jelly bean plant. Keep an eye for mealybugs and scale, and if you see them, remove with an alcohol-soaked Q-tip. Fungus gnats are usually a sign that the soil is too damp, so lighten up on watering.

If you have a hot, dry, sunny location, groundcover sedum is a perfect match. Using sedum as a groundcover keeps other plant roots cool, conserves moisture, staves off erosion, and establishes very rapidly. Plus, these pleasant little plants offer easy-care appeal and color. If you are a fan of low maintenance plants, continue reading for creeping sedum info.

Creeping Sedum Info

Sedum plants come in many shapes and sizes and are prized for their quick establishment and "set it and forget it" nature. While a little bit of care is required for baby plants, once they have been in site for a couple of months, these charming succulents can mostly be left alone. Rockeries, paths, containers, and hilly areas are perfect sites for growing sedum groundcover, one of the lowest forms of the group. Low growing sedum are also referred to as stonecrop, and for good reason. They can literally burst with life even in the cracks of a stone wall. Groundcover sedum comes in varieties with gently rounded leaves tinged in pink to chubby, spiky, yellow-green foliage. It is these thick leaves that allow sedums to store water and thrive in hot, dry locations. An outstanding surprise and contrast to the interesting leaves are the blooms. Tiny starry flowers in dense, airy clusters come in hues of yellow to pink to rise above the low lying plants, creating drama and a swirl of color.

How to Use Sedum as a Groundcover

The adaptable plants have a wide variety of uses in the landscape. They can be used as trailing plants in containers, tumbling over the edge with unconcerned glee. Sedums fit into tiny spaces around pavers, rocks, and stones, where they don't mind the heat generated by such sun-cooked items. Modern cultivation has seen them part of roof gardens or even vertical constructs. Small quirky displays find them planted on top of birdhouses or even dog shelters. In areas with low foot traffic, they are a great substitute for water needy sod grass and they don't need mowing.

Tips on Growing Sedum Groundcover

Sedum plants tolerate most soil pH but prefer slightly acidic conditions. The biggest requirements are sun and loose, well-draining soil. The soil doesn't need to be particularly fertile; in fact, sedums seem to do best in areas with low nutrient content. If planting a carpet of these succulents, space them as far apart as the suggested final dimensions. Very quickly the plants will fill in for a full effect. Water young plants weekly but mature specimens can do without irrigation in all but the hottest summers. The faded flowers will usually break off once dry, but you can keep things tidy by pulling or cutting them off. Very few plants will accommodate long vacations like sedum and they will keep supplying their unique appeal for years.

You may know Sedum acre as mossy stonecrop, goldmoss, or not at all, but this darling succulent should be something you include in your landscape scheme. The versatile plant fits perfectly into a rock garden and thrives in poor soils, such as sandy or gritty compositions. Continue reading for fun goldmoss info and cultivation tips.

What is Sedum acre?

Sedum acre's common name, goldmoss, is about as explanative as you can get. It is a low-growing groundcover that tumbles gleefully over rocks and other objects in the garden. The European native has become popular in North America primarily for its adaptability and ease of care. Gardeners know that caring for Sedum acre is a breeze and the sweet little plant has the ability to accent many other types of flora. Do you have an alpine garden or rocky site in your yard? Try growing Sedum acre. It is useful in full sun to partial shade locations where the low profile of just up to 2 inches (5 cm.) in height allows it to caress hills, rocks, pavers, and containers with the tightly packed leaves. The thick, succulent foliage overlaps alternately. Sedum acre spreads with a moderate rate via rhizomes to a width of up to 24 inches (61 cm.). In late spring to early summer, the stems elongate and flowers form. The blooms are star shaped, have five petals in vibrant yellow, and last throughout the summer. There are no special instructions when caring for Sedum acre. As with other sedum plants, just watch it take off and enjoy.

How to Grow Goldmoss

Sedum acre prefers slightly acidic sites with excellent drainage and gritty soil. Even shallow soil, limestone, rocks, gravel, sand, dry, and hot locations pose no problem for this little plant. Growing Sedum acre as a groundcover is less tolerant of foot traffic than other species but can survive the occasional step. Goldmoss is useful in gardens in USDA zones 3 to 8. It tends to be self-seeding and will expand season by season into a dense mat of succulent foliage. If you wish to start new plants, simply break off a stem and stick it into soil. The stem will quickly root. Water new plants for the first few months as they establish. Mature plants can tolerate drought conditions for brief periods.

Additional Goldmoss Plant Info

Sedum acre can withstand severe site conditions but is also relatively immune to rabbit and deer nibbling. The name comes from the plant's acrid taste, but this sedum is actually edible in small amounts. Young stems and leaves are eaten raw while older plant material should be cooked. Addition of the plant adds a spicy, peppery flavor to recipes. Be warned, however, in some cases gastrointestinal distress can occur. A better use for the plant is in its powdered form as a treatment for everything from cancer to water retention. In the garden, use it as a sunny border, rockery plant, in containers, and along paths. Sedum acre even makes a fun little houseplant, especially when combined with other succulents.

Also known commonly as a member of the stonecrop group of plants, Sedum telephium is a succulent perennial that comes in several varieties and cultivars. One of these, the Vera Jameson stonecrop, is a striking plant with burgundy stems and dusty pink autumn flowers. This plant adds a unique color to beds and is easy to grow.

About Vera Jameson Plants

Sedum plants are succulents and belong to the same genus as jade plants and other popular succulents. They are easy-to-grow perennials that add an interesting texture and unique floral pattern to garden beds. Sedum plants grow in clumps to about 9 to 12 inches (23 to 30 cm.) tall and produce fleshy leaves. The flowers are small but grow in large clusters that are flattened across the top. Of all the varieties of sedum, Vera Jameson has perhaps the most striking and unusual coloring. The form of the plant is similar to other sedums, but the stems and leaves start out bluish-green, and turn a rich, deep reddish-purple. The flowers are dusky pink. The name of this interesting sedum comes from the woman who first discovered it in her garden in Gloucestershire, England in the 1970s. The seedling was cultivated in a nearby nursery and named for Ms. Jameson. It probably came about as a cross between two other sedum varieties, ‘Ruby Glow’ and ‘Atropurpureum.’

How to Grow a Vera Jameson Sedum

If you have already grown sedum in your beds or borders, growing Vera Jameson sedum will be no different. It’s a great addition for its color but also its elegant shape. Vera Jameson is drought tolerant and should not be overwatered, so be sure the soil drains well where you plant it. It needs full sun, but it may tolerate a little bit of shade. This sedum will grow well in any sunny spot, and will take to a container as well as a bed. It takes extremes of heat and cold in stride and, once established, will not need to be watered. Pests and diseases are not typical with these plants. In fact, your sedum will not be destroyed by deer, and it will attract butterflies and bees to your garden.

The Purple Emperor sedum (Sedum 'Purple Emperor') is a tough but beautiful perennial plant that produces stunning, deep purple leaves and bunches of tiny, light pink flowers. It’s a great choice for cut flowers and garden borders alike. Keep reading to learn more about how to grow Purple Emperor stonecrop plants.

Purple Emperor Sedum Info

Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ is a hybrid stonecrop plant bred for the striking color of its foliage and flowers. It grows upright with a height of 12 to 15 inches (30.5-38 cm.) and spreads slightly, with a width of 12 to 24 inches (30.5-61 cm.). The leaves are slightly fleshy and deep purple in color, sometimes appearing almost black. In midsummer, the plant puts out clusters of tiny light pink flowers on top of single stems. As the flowers open and flatten, they form flower heads measuring 5 to 6 inches (12.5-15 cm.) across. They are very attractive to pollinators, like butterflies and bees. Flowers fade in autumn, but the foliage will remain and provide winter interest. Old foliage should be pruned away in the spring to make way for new growth.

Purple Emperor Care

Growing Purple Emperor sedum plants is very easy. Sedums, also known as stonecrops, are famously tough plants, earning their name from their habit of growing in the poor soil in between rocks and stones. Purple Emperor plants do best in poor, but well-draining, sandy to rocky soil. If they grow in soil that is too fertile, they will put out too much growth and become weak and floppy. They like full sun and moderate water. In their first year of growth, they should be watered more to encourage the growth of a strong root system. These plants look good in garden borders, but they also perform well grown in containers. Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ plants are hardy perennials in USDA zones 3-9.

Also known as showy stonecrop or Hylotelephium, Sedum spectabile ‘Meteor’ is an herbaceous perennial that displays fleshy, grayish-green foliage and flat clumps of long-lasting, star-shaped flowers. Meteor sedums are a cinch to grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 10. The tiny, deep pink flowers appear in late summer and last well into fall. The dry flowers are nice to look throughout the winter, especially when coated with a layer of frost. Meteor sedum plants look great in containers, beds, borders, mass plantings, or rock gardens. Interested in learning how to grow Meteor stonecrop? Read on for helpful tips!

Growing Meteor Sedums

Like other sedum plants, Meteor sedums are easy to propagate by taking stem cuttings in early summer. Just stick the stems in a container filled with well-drained potting mix. Place the pot in bright, indirect light and keep the potting mix lightly moist. You can also root leaves during the summer. Plant Meteor sedums in well-drained sandy or gravelly soil. Meteor plants prefer average to low fertility and tend to flop over in rich soil. Also locate Meteor sedums where the plants will receive full sunlight for a least five hours per day, as too much shade can result in a long, leggy plant. On the other hand, the plant benefits from afternoon shade in extremely hot climates.

Meteor Sedum Plant Care

Meteor stonecrop flowers don’t require deadheading because the plants only bloom once. Leave the blooms in place during the winter, then cut them back in early spring. The blooms are attractive even when they’re dry. Meteor stonecrop is moderately drought tolerant but should be watered occasionally during hot, dry weather. The plants rarely need fertilizer, but if growth seems slow, feed the plant a light application of general purpose fertilizer before new growth appears in late winter or early spring. Watch for scale and mealybugs. Both are easily controlled with insecticidal soap spray. Treat any slugs and snails with slug bait (non-toxic products are available). You can also try beer traps or other homemade solutions. Sedums should be divided every three or four years, or when the center begins to die out or the plant outgrows its boundaries.

One of the most startling sedum plants available is Frosty Morn. The plant is a succulent with vividly detailed cream markings on the leaves and spectacular flowers. Sedum ‘Frosty Morn’ plants (Sedum erythrostictum 'Frosty Morn') are easy to grow with no-fuss maintenance. They work equally well in a perennial flower garden as accents among evergreen plants or in containers. Read on for some tips on how to grow sedum ‘Frosty Morn’ in the garden.

Sedum Frosty Morn Info

Sedum plants fill a variety of needs in the landscape. They are drought-tolerant, low maintenance, come in a variety of habits and tones, and thrive in a host of conditions. The plants, found in the stonecrop group, are also vertically appealing since they are the taller, less sprawling members of the family. Sedum ‘Frosty Morn’ brings that statuesque beauty combined with all the other wonderful traits of the genus. The name of this plant is perfectly descriptive. The thick, padded leaves are a soft bluish-green and adorned with icicles of cream along the ribs and edges. Frosty Morn can grow 15 inches (38 cm.) tall with a spread of 12 inches (30.5 cm.). Stonecrop plants die back in winter and return in spring. They start out with sweet, ground-hugging rosettes of leaves before they develop stalks and finally flowers. Bloom time for this variety is late summer to early fall. Tiny, starry flowers are clustered together at the top of a hollow, yet sturdy stem. Flowers are white or tinged pink in cooler climates.

How to Grow Sedum ‘Frosty Morn’

Perennial garden lovers will love growing Frosty Morn sedums. They are resistant to deer and rabbit damage and tolerate dry soil, air pollution, and neglect. They are easy to grow in USDA zones 3-9. You can grow the plants from seed but a quicker and easier way is to divide the plant in fall or early spring, just before the new leaves start to unfurl. Divide stonecrop sedums every 3 years to encourage the best growth. Growing Frosty Morn sedums from stem cuttings is also quite simple. Let the cutting callus over before planting it in a lightly moistened soilless medium. Sedums take off quickly, no matter which propagation method you choose.

Caring for Frosty Morn Stonecrops

Provided you have your plant in a sunny to partially sunny location where the soil drains freely, you will have little problem with your sedum plants. They will even tolerate mildly alkaline up to acidic soil. Frosty morn thrives in either dry or moist conditions but cannot be left in standing water or the roots will rot. Water the plant regularly during the first season to help the plant establish an extensive root system. Use an all-purpose fertilizer in spring. Prune off spent flower heads in fall, or leave them to decorate the plant during the humdrum winter. Just remember to snip off the old flowers well before the new growth emerges.

One of the more versatile and architecturally appealing sedums is Autumn Joy. The Autumn Joy sedum variety has numerous seasons of appeal, starting with its sweet rosettes of new growth in late winter to early spring. The flower is also persistent, often lasting well into winter, providing a unique landscape. This is an easy plant to grow and divide. Growing Autumn Joy sedums will enhance the garden while bestowing you with plenty more of these amazing plants over time.

About Autumn Joy Sedum Plants

Sedum Autumn Joy plants (Sedum x 'Autumn Joy') are not garden divas. They thrive in conditions that other plants might consider rude. Once established, they are drought tolerant, but they also flourish in rainy regions. The key is well-draining soil and plenty of sunshine. Provide these circumstances and your plant will not only bloom and grow quickly but can be separated to produce many more of these un-fussy beauties. The Autumn Joy sedum variety is a cross between S. spectabile and S. telephium and hardy in United States Department of Agriculture zones 3 to 10. You may find the plant under various names for this reason. Hylotelephium telephium 'Autumn Joy' or Sedum spectabile 'Autumn Joy' or even Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude.' The succulent leaves emerge early as rosettes and march up stems that develop soon after. In summer, pink puffs of flower clusters adorn the tops of the stems. These are especially attractive to bees and butterflies, but an occasional hummingbird may also investigate them. As the flowers become spent, the whole head becomes dried and tan but retains its form, adding an interesting touch to the fall garden. The plants attain a height of 1 ½ feet (46 cm.) with a 2 foot (61 cm.) spread.

How to Grow Autumn Joy

These plants are readily available at most nurseries and big box stores. Their popularity ensures a consistent supply. You can enhance your stock of this fun plant by dividing it in early spring or by stem cuttings. It can also grow from fleshy stems harvested in the fall and placed horizontally in a soilless medium in a sunny location of the home. In just a month or so, each leaf node will develop tiny roots. Each of these may be removed and planted for individual new plants. The plants have few pests or disease issues but may occasionally be browsed by deer. You may also try growing Autumn Joy sedums indoors or in containers. Their long-lasting flowers will decorate any area for up to eight weeks with rusty pink blooms. Sedum Autumn Joy plants are often one of the few nectar producing flowers in late summer, feeding bees and other insects. You can eat the plant too! Young, tender stems and leaves can be eaten raw, but the older material should be avoided as moderate stomach upset can occur unless cooked. These hardy plants are members of the Stonecrop family. The sap in the thick leaves is useful in alleviating inflammation or as a cooling salve on burns and rashes. With its medicinal attributes, long flower life, and ease of care, Autumn Joy is truly a joy of a plant and one you should add to your perennial flower garden.

Are you looking for a low maintenance groundcover for a sandy bed or rocky slope? Or maybe you’d like to soften an unyielding stone wall by tucking brightly colored, shallow rooting perennials into the cracks and crevices. Sedum ‘Angelina’ cultivars are excellent succulents for sites like these. Continue reading this article for tips on growing Angelina stonecrop.

About Sedum ‘Angelina’ Plants

Sedum ‘Angelina’ cultivars are scientifically known as Sedum reflexum or Sedum rupestre. They are native to rocky, mountainous slopes in Europe and Asia, and are hardy in U.S. hardiness zones 3 to 11. Also commonly called Angelina stonecrop or Angelina stone orpine, Angelina sedum plants are low growing, spreading plants that only get about 3 to 6 inches (8-15 cm.) tall, but can spread up to 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) wide. They have small, shallow roots, and as they spread, they produce small roots from lateral stems that penetrate the small crevices in the rocky terrain, anchoring the plant. Sedum ‘Angelina’ cultivars are known for their brightly colored chartreuse to yellow, needle-like foliage. This foliage is evergreen in warmer climates, but in cooler climates, the foliage turns orange to burgundy color in autumn and winter. Although they are mostly grown for their foliage color and texture, Angelina sedum plants do produce yellow, star-shaped flowers in mid to late summer.

Growing Angelina Stonecrop in the Garden

Angelina sedum plants will grow in full sun to part shade; however, too much shade can cause them to lose their bright yellowish foliage color. They will grow in almost any well-draining soil, but actually thrive best in sandy or gravely soils with low nutrients. Angelina cultivars cannot tolerate heavy clay or waterlogged sites. In the right location, Angelina sedum plants will naturalize. To quickly fill in a site with this colorful, low-maintenance groundcover, it is recommended that plants be spaced 12 inches (31 cm.) apart. Like other sedums plants, once established, it will become drought resistant, making Angelina excellent for use in xeriscaped beds, rock gardens, sandy sites, firescaping, or spilling over stone walls or containers. However, container-grown plants will need regular watering. Rabbit and deer rarely bother Angelina sedum plants. Aside from regular waterings as they establish, there is virtually no other required plant care for Angelina. Plants can be divided every few years. New sedum plants can be propagated by simply snipping off some tip cuttings and placing them where you want them to grow. Cuttings can also be propagated in trays or pots filled with sandy soil.

Sedum plants are one of the easier types of succulent to grow. These amazing little plants will spread easily from tiny bits of vegetation, rooting with ease and establishing quickly. Dividing sedum plants is a simple and quick method of doubling your investment. Sedum division is an easy process and requires little expertise, but a few tips and tricks can help increase the chances of success.

When to Divide Sedum

Whether you have tiny spreading rosettes or towering Autumn Joy stonecrop, you should know how to divide sedum so you can spread more of these popular plants. Sedums grow in hot, dry areas of the landscape and add cheery color and whimsical form to hard-to-plant zones. Separating sedum is an easy project that will increase the number of the easy to grow plants quickly. New divisions establish rapidly and need little extra care. Perennial plants are usually divided in late fall to early spring. Knowing when to divide sedum will ensure their quick recovery and rooting. Since many sedum die back in cooler climates, it can be hard to establish where the plant is until new growth arrives in early spring. That is the best time to separate the plants. Dividing the plants can increase blooms and enhance plant health. Sedum should be divided every three to four years. Some growers also recommend dividing the plant after it has bloomed while the plant is actively growing. Recovery will be slower but these hardy little succulents should rebound fairly well.

How to Divide a Sedum

Separating sedum is a quick process. If you choose to divide after bloom, cut taller species down to 6 inches (15 cm.) to reduce transpiration and make division easier. Use a shovel and dig several inches (8 cm.) around the plant and carefully excavate the root mass. Shake off excess soil and check the roots for any damaged portions. Clip any diseased or damaged roots off. Use a sharp knife and divide the plant into 4 to 6 inch (10 to15 cm.) sections, each with plenty of roots. Prepare a sunny site for the new plants by digging soil deeply to loosen it prior to planting. Plant each section individually at the same depth at which it had been growing. Firm the soil around the roots.

Care After Dividing Sedum Plants

Immediately after planting, water well and keep the area lightly moist while the plant establishes. Once you see new growth, you can reduce watering by half. If you use mulch in the area in which you placed the sedum, ensure the material is not covering the base of the plant. Keep competitive weeds away from the new plants. Usually within a month, the plant will be as recovered as if you had never disturbed it. By the same time next year, your plants will be well established and producing starry blooms.

I consider sedums my “go-to” lazy gardener plant. In most cases, they can simply be planted and then forgotten, with the exception of occasional watering. Can you cut back sedum? You can certainly contain the growth of sedum plants with careful pinching and trimming but it isn’t necessary to the plant’s healthy growth. 

Removing the spent flower heads will make for a more attractive plant and allow new growth to appear unimpeded. Some tips for how to trim sedum can have you producing more healthy plants with showy blooms.

When to Prune Sedum

Sedum plants are in the family Crassulaceae and are considered easy to grow succulents in most regions. There are many sizes and varieties from which to choose, providing an ideal shape for almost any gardening endeavor. 

Cutting back sedum plants is not strictly necessary unless they are getting wild and out of control. If you require a very tidy appearance, sedum plant pruning can control errant growth and enforce thicker plants in some cases. It can’t hurt the plant but knowing when to prune sedum plants can help preserve the starry flowers produced by most species. In warmer climates, you can prune sedum at any time without harming the plant’s vigor. 

However, most pruning is done to remove the old flower heads and to keep the plant in check. If you prune late into summer, you may risk removing future flower heads on some of the slower growing species. Old flowers can be removed at any time. 

On some of the larger species, such as Autumn Joy stonecrop, the flower head is an attractive feature and will last into winter. You can remove these in the fall or wait until early spring and then remove them to the rosette base. 

In cooler regions, the foliage will die back and form sweet little, new rosettes in spring. It helps this new growth emerge by cutting back sedum plants to the new growth and also forms a more tidy plant.

How to Trim Sedum

Some of the creeping or trailing smaller varieties may get rangy. You can remove the stems with clippers or pruners or simply pinch them off. The jointed stems of some sedum will simply pull right off and can be planted for new plants if you wish. For taller species, cut them back in May to early June for a bushier plant. This will delay flowering but will form a more compact succulent. 

Remove stems by ½ to force horizontal growth. Be careful not to damage side buds and remove only the vertical, taller plant material. You can remove dead or diseased plant material at any time. Most of it will simply break off. Other sedum plant pruning can take up to 1/3 of growth at any time but, again, it may affect the bloom time.

Tips for Sedum Plant Pruning

Sedums are remarkably tolerant plants. They don’t have many pest or disease issues and tolerate partial to full sun locations in well-drained soil. They are even drought tolerant. However, fungal diseases and rot do plague them, especially in low light situations and high humidity. Sterilize your cutting tools to prevent passing fungal spores into the plant. Use tools that are sharp to prevent excess plant damage. 

Avoid pruning in the middle of winter or in extreme heat when plants are stressed. Sedum plants are practically designed for casual care and are very forgiving of most types of treatment. With a little practice, you should be able to enjoy the plants and their progeny for years and years.

English stonecrop perennial plants are found wild in western Europe. They are common nursery plants and make excellent fillers in containers and beds. The tiny succulents grow on rocky slopes and sand dunes which illustrates their hardiness and ability to thrive in low fertility areas. English stonecrop plants are also drought tolerant. There are very few tricks on how to grow English stonecrop sedum as they are a low maintenance, nearly fool-proof plant to grow.

English Stonecrop Plants

If you are looking for a plant that you don’t have to baby, spreads over time to form a lovely, low carpet, and produces pink starry flowers, look no further than English stonecrop (Sedum anglicum). These plants are in the Crassulaceae family of succulents. English stone crop establishes easily from bare root and requires little extra care to root and grow. These minimal care plants have even been used in living roofs, composed of hardy, tolerant plants that insulate and provide durable protection. Stonecrop plants come in a variety of sizes and forms. These plants are succulent and have chubby, fleshy characteristic leaves in rosettes and thickened stems. The foliage and stems are bright green when young, deepening to bluish green at maturity. English stonecrop is a ground hugging form that tends to spread out stems and roots at internodes. Over time a small patch of English stonecrop can become a large, dense mat. The flowers are on short stalks, star-shaped, and white or blushed pink. The blooms are very attractive to bees and hoverflies as well as certain species of ants.

How to Grow English Stonecrop Sedum

Growing English stonecrop is as easy as getting your hands on a piece of the plant. The stems and leaves will fall off even with a gentle touch and often root just where they land. English stonecrop produces from seed, too, but it will take quite some time for appreciable plants. Far easier to nudge off a stem or few leaves and transplant the rosettes to acidic, well-drained soil. A little watering is needed at establishment but the plant will root in just a few weeks and become drought tolerant thereafter. These plants are fertilizer sensitive but good organic mulch can help gradually add nutrients to the soil when growing English stonecrop.

English Stonecrop Care

These plants are good choices for the novice gardener. This is because they establish readily, have few pest and disease problems, and are low maintenance. In fact, English stonecrop care is really negligible except for occasional watering in very dry periods. You can choose to divide the clumps and share them with a friend or let the patches gambol playfully across your rockery or other landscape feature. English stonecrop also makes an excellent container plant and will trail lightly in hanging baskets. Pair this sprightly little plant with other moisture smart flowers and succulents for xeriscape appeal.

Busy gardeners are always on the lookout for easy to grow plants. Growing turquoise tails sedum is one of the most trouble-free plants for ornamental landscaping. It is hardy in United States Department of Agriculture zones 5 to 10 and a proven winner in perennial beds, borders, containers, and rockeries. Read on to learn more.

What is Turquoise Tails Sedum?

Succulents are noted for their adaptability, ease of care, and wondrous forms and tones. Turquoise tails blue sedum is a cultivar that provides all these traits with deer and rabbit resistance and drought tolerance. What is turquoise tails sedum (Sedum sediforme)? It is a past Plant Select Waterwise winner with years of landscaping excellence ahead of the sedum. As a Mediterranean plant, it is suitable for climates with hot, sunny summers and cool winters. There is very little to learn about how to grow turquoise tails sedum. This species is pretty much ready to plant and enjoy. The plant only grows 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm.) tall with a 12-inch (30.5 cm.) spread, but it’s hardly a shy, little beauty. This sedum produces spikes of layered, thick, pad-like foliage with attractive, blue-green coloring. The thick leaves are a feature of many succulents, where moisture is stored for periods of drought. From May to June the plant will flower, bearing sweet little clusters of starry yellow flowers. Over time, the plant mounds on itself in a dense clump of the plump leaves. Turquoise tails blue sedum is un-matchless for low maintenance and remarkable versatility.

How to Grow Turquoise Tails Sedum

Turquoise tails is an heirloom perennial succulent. Like most succulents, it is easy to establish from purchased plants or from cuttings. Division of the plant results in vigorous new plants and even the leaves may root and eventually produce new specimens. Over time, broken bits of the plant will establish and the original area can become delightfully covered in the blue-green leaves. It is a slow-to-grow ground cover, but a tough cookie once established. You may also try growing turquoise tails sedum from seed, but it takes several years to make an appreciably sized plant.

Caring for Sedum Turquoise Tails

One of the biggest enemies of succulents is too much water. That is not to say the plants don’t need water, but they cannot tolerate boggy soils or those that do not drain. Mix in compost or other organic matter to enhance nutrient content and percolation. In clay soils, add some sand or other gritty matter to loosen the earth. Turquoise tails sedum requires full sun but it can tolerate light shade. Succulents do not usually need extra feeding, especially those in-ground, but container plants benefit from liquid houseplant food (diluted) and added during the water cycle in spring. Reduce watering in winter when the plant is dormant. Turquoise tails sedum does not need pruning and has few disease or pest problems.

Succulents are my all-time favorite variety of plants, and sedum plants top that list. The larger sedum varieties, such as Autumn Joy, produce huge flower heads. By the end of the season you may find sedums falling over from the weight. Other causes of bowed sedum heads may be rich soil or overwatering.

About Sedum Plants

The Sedum family encompasses plants that trail, spread like ground cover, tower 2 or more feet (0.6+ m.), and those that just barely graze your ankles. The variety of the group allows the home gardener an opportunity to bring these relatively hardy succulents into their landscape. The thick leaves are coated with a waxy substance to help conserve water, making these plants tolerant of low moisture conditions. Sedum plants come back in spring and begin as ground hugging rosettes. Soon stems form and then starry clusters of flowers. In the larger sedums, these mass into a globe of purple, pink, salmon or white color.

Top Heavy Sedum

Some sedum plants can get a bloom cluster the size of a man's fist or even larger. The top heavy sedum can usually hold the huge flower up on the thick stock, but occasionally the flower bows to the ground or the stalk may even break. Weak stems are the result of overly rich soil. Sedum plants are tolerant of poor growing conditions and even thrive in sandy or gritty medium. Rich and soggy soils will cause the stems to bend and you will see your sedums falling over. To prevent this, you should mix in some sand to the site soil prior to planting the succulents. Sedums planted in low light areas may also grow spindly stems as the plant stretches for the sun. Ensure that these succulents get full sun exposure.

What to Do if Sedums are Too Heavy

Those big beautiful heads may get nodding due to a variety of conditions. You can move the plant in fall to a more suitable location or amend the soil. The short term solution is to stake the plant so the stem has support. Sedum flowers make interesting architectural additions to the winter garden and can be left on the plant until spring. They dry out in fall and have a textural appeal. Older plants respond well to division. Dig up the entire plant in the dormant season and cut the root and plant in half. Alternately, look for offsets or baby plants and pull them away from the parent plant. Once planted and established, these babies will produce quickly and better than the aged parent.

Pruning Sedum

Sedum plants respond well to pruning and tend to form a bushier plant in the next burst of spring growth. Use sharp pruners or garden shears to take the stems back to within an inch (2.5 cm) of the soil in early spring. Take care to avoid the new growth that is coming up. Pinching will enforce bushier plants. Pinch off the new growth near the soil and it will form a more compact stem and thicker growth. Pruning sedum succulents that are growing in low light conditions may help them form a sturdier stem. Cut the stem back to 6 inches (15.2 cm.). You will delay any blooms, but the stalk will grow thicker and help support the flowers when they come. In the end, if your sedums are too heavy on top, take the flower and bring it inside to enjoy as a cut bloom. They are a joy both indoors and out.

There are few plants more forgiving of sun and bad soil than sedum plants. Growing sedum is easy; so easy, in fact, that even the most novice gardener can excel at it. With a large number of sedum varieties to choose from, you will find one that works for your garden. Learn more about how to grow sedum in the article below.

How to Grow Sedum

When growing sedum, keep in mind that sedum plants need very little attention or care. They will thrive in conditions that many other plants thrive in but will do just as well in less hospitable areas. They are ideal for that part of your yard that gets too much sun or too little water to grow anything else. A common name for sedum is stonecrop, due to the fact that many gardeners will joke that only stones need less care and live longer.

Sedum varieties vary in height. The smallest are just a few inches (8 cm.) tall, and the tallest can be up to 3 feet (1 m.). The large majority of sedum varieties are shorter, and sedums are frequently used as groundcovers in xeriscape gardens or rock gardens.

Sedum varieties also vary in their hardiness. Many are hardy to USDA zone 3, while others need a warmer climate. Make sure the sedum that you plant is suited to your hardiness zone.

Sedums need no additional water or fertilizer. Overwatering and overfertilizing can hurt the plants far worse than not watering or fertilizing.

Tips for Planting Sedums

Sedum is easily planted. For shorter varieties, simply laying the sedum on the ground where you want it to grow is normally enough to get the sedum plant started there. They will send out roots from wherever the stem is touching the ground and root itself. If you would like to further ensure that the plant will start there, you can add a very thin covering of soil over the plant.

For taller sedum varieties, you can break off one of the stems and push it into the ground where you would like to grow it. The stem will root very easily, and a new plant will be established in a season or two.

Popular Sedum Varieties

• Autumn Joy
• Dragon's Blood
• Purple Emperor
• Autumn Fire
• Black Jack
• Spurium Tricolor
• Bronze Carpet
• Baby Tears
• Brilliant
• Coral Carpet
• Red Creeping
• Jaws
• Mr. Goodbud