If you want to grow a low-maintenance plant, sedums are the way to go. They’re pretty resistant to most pests and diseases, and they don’t need much water once established. Plus, their unique appearance makes them a great way to add some interest to your garden or flower pots.
Sedums, also known as stonecrop plants, are succulents from the Crassulaceae family. They’ve got fleshy leaves that store water, so they can survive in dry environments without a problem.
If you want to give these a try, keep reading for our guide on how to grow and care for these hardy plants!
HOW TO PLANT SEDUMS?
Sedums are fairly easy to plant. They like full sun, but they don’t require rich soil and they also do fine with very little water. This makes them a good choice for containers and rock gardens, as well as ground covers. They can be planted in spring or fall.
To plant sedums
- Carefully remove your plants from their pots and separate the root balls into clumps.
- Dig a hole in the soil about three times the size of your root ball and place it in the hole with a mound of the soil underneath that will help make sure water doesn’t pool on top of it when you water it. The roots should be buried just under the surface of the soil—about half an inch down is perfect!
- Cover up any exposed roots with dirt and then press down firmly so there are no air pockets trapped around them—this is important! If you have trouble getting all those roots covered, use some loose dirt to make a little “hill” around each root system so that once everything settles down into place there will be no gaps leftover where you need more soil packed around those roots before watering again for at least one week after planting time (this helps prevent transplant shock). If needed, add mulch around your newly-planted sedum for winter protection against frost heaving or other weather hazards until next year when we can enjoy these perennials without worrying about chilling temperatures outside our homes!
Family: Crassulaceae
Sedum is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae, members of which are commonly known as stonecrops. The genus has been described as containing up to 600 species, subsequently reduced to 400–500. They are leaf succulents found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, but extending into the southern hemisphere in Africa and South America.
The number of species is disputed by different authors; Plants of the World Online accepts 400. The sedums have previously (and more often) been treated as a subgenus within the genus Sedum, and are still so treated by some authors (e.g., for North American plants). This genus includes many well-known succulent species with star-shaped rosettes. Some species such as Sedum acre (formerly Hylotelephium telephium var. maximum) are valued by gardeners as groundcover or “weed smothering” plants and have become invasive weeds outside their native habitat.
Genus: Sedum (SEE-dum)
Sedums are plants in the genus Sedum. They’re also known as stonecrops because of their rough, scaly leaves. Their thick leaves mean that sedums are succulent plants and can retain water for long periods.
Cultivars are commonly available in a wide variety of sizes, forms (mounding or upright), flower colors, and foliage colors.
- Sedum spectabile has mounds of flat, rounded leaves that grow up to 45 cm (18 in) tall. They are often rose-colored and can feature very large flower heads with up to 100 flowers per head.
- Sedum acre has small but distinct yellow 5-petalled star-shaped flowers over a mound of green succulent foliage. It spreads quickly by rhizomes forming a mat-like ground cover when not controlled. It is a useful plant for rock gardens or sedum meadows where it can thrive even in poor soil as long as drainage is high enough to prevent waterlogging during winter rains.
- Sedum spurium bears cymes of pinkish-purple flowers on stems growing 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) tall and 30 cm (12 in) across Leaves are rounded to lance-shaped but somewhat flattened, and borne symmetrically along stems.
Sedums Are Often Short-lived
Sedums are often short-lived, clump-forming perennials. Sedum plants can be grown from seed, but this is difficult and the plants that result may not be the same as the parent plant. You’ll have better success if you propagate sedums from cuttings. Sedums are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9 depending on the variety.
Height/Spread
- Sedum varies in height from 2-3 cm to 30 cm
- Sedums also vary in spread, ranging from 20-30 cm to 1-2 meters wide.
Examples of sedums that have different heights and spreads:
It is a short little number at about 2 inches high. It’s the kind of plant you’d put on your desk or next to your cat’s favorite window. Another example is Tall Boy Sedum. Standing over a foot tall, this guy would be great for a stone wall or staircase.
The Successful Growth Of Sedums Requires Well-drained Soil, As They Do Not Tolerate Wet Feet.
Consistent with their other preferences, you’ll want to ensure that your sedum’s soil is well-drained. While sedums will tolerate dry soil, they cannot tolerate wet feet. If your regional climate and microclimate result in heavy rains at certain times of the year and/or very dampness in the air and soil, it would not be suitable to plant a sedum there.
Propagation Is By Division Or Tip Cuttings In Spring. Division Should Be Done Every 4 To 7 Years In Spring Or Fall.
We own a variety of plants which, for the most part, require division every few years to keep them healthy. Even if you don’t grow your plants, you can use these simple techniques to propagate (split) any type of plant. Divide by cutting and root is another option that’s less time-consuming but can get messy.
HOW TO CARE FOR SEDUM?
Water newly planted sedums well to encourage good root growth. Sedums are drought-tolerant once established but should be watered during dry spells if you want them to look their best.
Sedums require little fertilization. Feed-in spring with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 (NPK) at the recommended rate, but only if your soil is poor.
Deadheading spent flowers regularly will increase the plant’s bloom period and improve its appearance.
Pinching new growth can result in fuller, bushier plants. Pinching is done before the stems get too woody and are difficult to bend between your fingers. Pinch sedum in spring before flower buds begin to develop or shortly after they form, leaving enough stem so that the emerging new shoots will support themselves without flopping over.
In the Southern states, sandy cactus mixes that can either be purchased or made with equal parts peat moss, sand, and loam work well for this plant. You can also add some perlite or vermiculite for extra drainage.
In other words, this is a plant you can almost kill with kindness if you’re not careful.
Here are some tips:
- Make sure your soil drains well. Sedums prefer sandy soil and will rot if their roots sit in moisture for too long. If your soil does not drain well, consider amending it with sand, or create a raised planter instead.
- Give them plenty of light. Most sedums thrive in full to partial sun. In the Southern states, they should be placed in light shade during the hottest part of the afternoon to protect them from scorching on hot summer days.
- Avoid watering leaves—this promotes disease problems and rotting of foliage at the base of the stems. Instead, water only at the base of the plant when it’s dry to the touch about 1 inch beneath the surface.
Plant Sedums In Well-drained Soil And Bright Light
If you’re ready to plant your sedum, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Start by choosing a spot in well-drained soil, preferably in full sun or partial shade. Sedums typically prefer the sunnier spots of your garden or outdoor area, but if you have a particularly hot spot that gets full sun for much of the day, you may want to consider planting under a tree or on the north side of your house. If this is indoors, choose a window where it can get bright light throughout the day.
- Now that you’ve chosen your spot and prepared the area, it’s time to plant! If you’re planting outdoors, wait until spring when there are no longer any frost warnings. The best way to plant is by dividing larger plants and gently spreading out the roots before placing them into small holes made with a garden trowel. When bare-root plants are available in springtime (typically March through May), they should be planted right away with their crowns no deeper than 1 inch below the soil surface.
What do you think? Is growing sedums right for you?
The plant is a great choice for beginners, and it’s sure to add some personality to your garden. You’ll love the succulent’s unique look and how easy it is to grow—you can’t go wrong!
So try it out! We promise you won’t be disappointed.