Sedum
Stonecrop
- Height × spread
- 0.01m – 0.8m × 0.1m – 1m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in late Spring, Summer & early Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Plants with fleshy leaves that range from the really miniscule to low ground cover, and strong performing border plants that are striking when in flower with their flat heads of flowers. They are popular plants for bees and butterflies as well as people. The foliage of sedums is in soft grey-blue glaucous tints, or yellow, red, purple, and near black. There are variegated forms as well, in both green and yellow and green and white. The flowers are in shades from white to pink, red to purple and reddish black. Some sedums retain their interest into winter when their brown heads of dead flowers provide structural interest for months.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Brown, Cream, Green, Lilac, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Rose, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Black, Blue, Green, Grey, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Silver, White, Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Column, Cube, Dome, Fan, Horizontal, Prostrate
- Height
- 0.01m – 0.8m
- Spread
- 0.1m – 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Small scale garden, Shady court, Seaside garden, Rock garden, Prairie garden, Mediterranean garden, Indoors, Gravel garden, Exotic garden, Cottage garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 7C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Ground cover, Coloured stems, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Summer · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food
Use a balanced house plant feed that has been diluted so it is half strength. Feed the plant monthly with this from May until August.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water to keep the soil moist
Water moderately from the period when growth starts (around April) until the early autumn (September).
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.
Planting
Winter protection required by some varieties
Some plants within this genus require protection from winter cold. It is best to look up your specific plant for guidance, and/or check the label.
Compost · Planting
Loam based compost + grit for repotting
Use a free draining loam based compost rather than one which has been modified to be 'moisture retentive'.
Alternatively prepare a compost using three parts of loam (John Innes no. 2 or 3) to one part of (horticultural) sand or fine (horticultural) grit.
Indoor temperature · Planting
7C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 7 Centigrade.
Planting
Divide some varieties differently
Some plant varieties within this genus have different requirements for dividing them when they get big. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for guidance, and/or check the label.
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, close to window
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).
Found in
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