How To Grow And Care For Sedum

Sedum is an enormous genus of perennials with succulent leaves that can be needle-shaped or flat and rounded. A number were reclassified in the genus Hylotelephium in the same plant family, but are still sold as sedum. They are tall and upright and produce clusters of pollinator-friendly flowers in summer or fall. Others creep or trail along the ground and produce small flowers in spring or summer. The multi-textured foliage can be the main attraction, ranging from chartreuse to silvery blue to garnet or burgundy.

During the growing season, sedum stores water inside its thick, waxy leaves. This means it's quite tolerant of drought and seldom needs watering. Taller sedums emerge in spring and grow quickly through the summer before dying back in winter. Ground-hugging sedums can spread at moderate pace and root easily from stems or leaves. Most sedums prefer well-draining soil and will thrive in the South. Here's what to know about growing this diverse family of plants.

Plant Attributes

Sedum Care

Since there are species adapted to USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, this is one easy plant to grow in the garden. Just give it well-drained soil and full sun or light afternoon shade. The plants will grow weak and floppy in too much shade or rich soil. Skip the fertilizers and add a little compost if needed. Forest-dwelling species like mountain stonecrop (S. ternatum) can handle more shade and moisture than most, so there really is a sedum for every garden.

Grow this clumping or creeping plant in a rock garden with prairie flowers, fall-blooming grasses, and other succulents or at the front of a flower border. Many ground-hugging sedums do well in containers or hanging baskets, and are commonly planted on green roofs.

If your area has cold winters, the foliage may die back each winter and reappear in the spring, depending on the species. Some do not tolerate cold climates and are best grown in Zone 6 and warmer. Frost-sensitive species like burro's tail (S. morganianum) make great houseplants.

Light

Most sedums grow best in full sun with at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Many will take light shade for part of the day, but taller varieties can flop when they don't get enough sunlight. Sedums that sprawl on the ground can thin in low light. Our native mountain stonecrop (S. ternatum) is a good choice for partial to full shade in a woodsy garden.

Soil

Sedum is a succulent so it will always prefer a dry, loose, sandy soil that drains well. It does not grow well in conditions that are wet and heavy. Mountain stonecrop can handle moister soil, but it must be well-draining. Sedums can be grown in shallow, rocky soil. Soil that is rich in organic matter may cause upright sedums to flop.

Water

This plant is relatively drought-tolerant, requiring only light watering during long dry spells. If left to sit in water or if the plant receives too much water or if the soil is too dense, it will grow poorly. During long dry periods in summer, you might water sedums once every two weeks. Don't water unless the top two inches of soil are dry.

Temperature And Humidity

Sedum grows well all over the United States in many different climates, but there’s no doubt that it thrives in heat, looking great until hard frost forces it to die back or go dormant. That’s what makes it such a great plant in Southern gardens. Humidity will only be a problem if it keeps the soil from drying out. Heavy rainfall can cause fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Sedums typically do not need fertilizer and can develop weak, leggy growth in overly rich soil.

Types Of Sedum

S. acre grows in Zones 6-9 in US, MS, LS, and CS. This plant is native to Europe, North Africa, and Turkey and grows to 25 inches tall with upright branchlets rising from railing, rooting stems. Light green leaves only 14 inches long; clustered yellow flowers in spring. This old favorite is extremely hardy but can get out of bounds and become a weed. Use as ground cover (set plants 11-12 feet apart), between stepping stones, or in chinks of dry walls.

S. album originated in Europe, Siberia, western Asia, and North Africa where creeping plants grow to 26 inches tall with long leaves. In summer, it blooms white or pinkish flowers. Set plants 11-12 feet apart as a groundcover. This species will root from the smallest fragment, so be aware if planting it near delicate rock garden plants.

S. anglicum grows in Zones 6-9 in US, MS, LS, and CS. Native to western Europe, this low, spreading plant grows 24 inches tall with dark green leaves. In the spring, expect pinkish or white flowers. When planting as a ground cover, plant 9-12 inches apart.

S. brevifolium grows in Zones 6-9 in US, MS, LS, and CS. Native to the Mediterranean region, this variety reaches 2-3 inches tall and slowly spreads to 12 inches wide. This plant has tiny gray to red-flushed leaves on tightly packed stems. In summer, expect to see white or pinkish flowers. This variety needs acidic soil that drains well. Mix this variety with larger succulents in containers, rock gardens, or miniature gardens. Sunburns in hot, dry places.

S. cauticola grows in Zones 6-9 in US, MS, LS, and CS. The variety is a Japan native that slowly forms a low mound. With blue-gray leaves and clusters of rose-red flowers in late summer or early fall. Dies back in winter.

S. confusum grows in Zones 7-9 in MS, LS, and CS. Native to Mexico, this spreading, branching plant grows 6-18 inches tall and wide and makes a good ground cover. Goo for borders or containers or as an edging plant. A similar, smaller plant with light green leaves is the closely related Sedum kimnachii.

S. dasyphyllum grows in Zones 6-9 in US, MS, LS, and CS. Native to the Mediterranean, it forms a low, spreading mat. With gray-green foliage and summer blooms of white flowers with pink streaks, this variety prefers partial shade.

S. dendroideum grows in Zones 9-11 in CS and TS. Native to Mexico, this branching plant grows to 3 feet tall and wide with rounded leaves. It has deep yellow flowers in spring and summer.

S. erythrostictum 'Frosty Morn’ can be grown in Zones 6-9 in US, MS, LS, and CS. It resembles ‘Autumn Joy’ but the light blue-green leaves are boldly outlined in a creamy white. This sedum blooms in late summer, bearing large clusters of flowers that are white in hot climates and pale pink in cooler climates.

S. forsterianum is a native plant to western Europe, specifically the British Isles. It grows to 8 inches high and 10 inches wide with rounded rosettes of blue-green, needlelike leaves with yellow flowers. It tolerates heat, humidity, and poor soil. Plant it in Zones 6-9 In US, LS, And CS.

S. rupestra 'Angelina' is a creeping, mat-forming ground cover with needle-shaped gold foliage. Plants may turn red-orange in cold weather. 'Angelina' can be grown in Zones 5-9.

S. spurium, also known as Phedimus spurius, is a creeping stonecrop with double-layered, slightly toothed, rounded leaves. Popular selections include 'John Creech' and 'Dragon's Blood.' Grown in Zones 3-9, this plant is evergreen in milder climates. Foliage turns burgundy in fall.

S. ternatum is native to the Eastern U.S. and can be grown in Zones 3-9. The plant has light green, rounded, flat leaves and sprawls on the ground, bearing small, star-shaped, white flowers. It can tolerate full sun but does especially well in partial or full shade.

Pruning

Pruning is typically not needed, but you can pinch back or trim plants to encourage bushy growth or if they outgrow their space. Tall sedums that die back in winter can be cut to the ground, or the seed heads can be left for birds until early spring.

Propagating Sedum

Sedums are incredibly easy to propagate, as long as you aren't growing a patent-protected plant. With the softer-stemmed sedums that sprawl on the ground, stems frequently break off and can be replanted with little effort. Gently stick the stem in the ground in loose soil, water well, and keep lightly moist until it roots. Thicker-stemmed sedums can be propagated with stem cuttings following these steps:

1. Cut a stem about 6 inches long and remove the bottom leaves.
2. Fill a small pot with soilless potting mix. 
3. Add the stem cutting to the mix and keep the mix evenly moist.
4. When roots start to grow, transplant to the garden.

You can also divide plants in spring. Carefully dig up a clump, place it on its side and cut through the root ball with a sharp garden knife, making sure each section has a healthy amount of roots and leaves. Then replant in prepared soil and water.

Potting And Repotting Sedum

Low-growing sedums make wonderful companions in mixed containers with other succulents or drought-tolerant flowers. Choose plants that have similar needs and don't require a lot of watering. Plant in well-draining potting mix such as cactus soil. Make sure the container has drainage holes, and don't leave it sitting in a saucer where it can get wet feet. Place sedum near the edge so it can trail over the side.

Overwintering

No protection is needed for most sedums in the South, but frost-sensitive species like S. dendroideum can be brought indoors for winter and kept in a bright window, then returned to the outdoors in the spring.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Sometimes an infestation of leaf-sucking aphids⁠ can disfigure the leaves—spray them with a strong stream of water from the hose or with neem oil or insecticidal soap, making certain to hit both sides of every leaf. Sedums can be damaged by deer.

In hot, humid weather, fungal infections can cause stem rot or rust (yellow or dark spots on leaves). Make sure you aren't overwatering, and improve drainage if symptoms appear. Remove and discard damaged foliage and plants. Spray plants with neem oil to help control rust.

How To Get Sedum To Bloom

The recipe for good blooms is a pretty simple one: Sedum wants full sun, or at least six hours of light on most days. Make sure the soil drains well and remains mostly dry. And that’s it. Avoid shade and excessive moisture and your sedum should deliver color and pollinators to any Southern garden. Different species bloom at different times of year, so be patient and you should see flowers.

Common Problems With Sedum

Sedums are rarely plagued by troubles in the garden, other than damage from aphids and disease from excessive moisture. Here are a few a couple of things to watch out for.

Black Soot On Leaves

This is caused by a black fungus growing on honeydew, or the sweet secretions from sap-sucking aphids. Leaves may also appear curled or stunted. Gently wash off the black patches with water, then knock off any aphids with a strong stream of water, making sure to check the undersides of leaves. You may need to do this for several days before the aphids move on.

Leggy Growth

Leggy growth can be caused by too little sunlight. Increase sun exposure if your plant is getting too much shade. Another culprit is overly fertile soil or excess nitrogen, especially if your plant is receiving runoff from a fertilized lawn. You can try adding coarse sand in rich soil, or simply move the plant to a better location.