These perennial, cold-hardy succulents are a delight in the garden.
A number were reclassified in the genusHylotelephiumin the same plant family, but are still sold as sedum.
They are tall and upright and produce clusters ofpollinator-friendly flowersin summer or fall.
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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.
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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.
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Most sedums prefer well-draining soil and will thrive in the South.
Here’s what to know about growing this diverse family of plants.
Just give it well-drained soil and full sun or light afternoon shade.
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The plants will grow weak and floppy in too much shade or rich soil.
Skip the fertilizers and add a little compost if needed.
Note that sedums can also bedamaged by deer.
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Many ground-hugging sedums do well in containers or hanging baskets and are commonly planted on green roofs.
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 infull sunwith at least six hours of direct sunlight a day.
Sedums that sprawl on the ground can thin in low light.
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 relativelydrought-tolerant, requiring only light watering during long dry spells.
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.
Thats 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.
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.
In summer, it blooms white or pinkish flowers.
Set plants 11-12 feet apart as a groundcover.
S. anglicumgrows 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. brevifoliumgrows 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.
It sunburns in hot, dry places.
S. cauticolagrows in Zones 4-9 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. confusumgrows in Zones 7-9 in MS, LS, and CS.
Good for borders or containers or as an edging plant.
A similar, smaller plant with light green leaves is the closely related Sedum kimnachii.
S. dasyphyllumgrows in Zones 6-9 in US, MS, LS, and CS.
S. dendroideumgrows 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 3-9 in US, MS, LS, and CS.
It resembles Autumn Joy but the light blue-green leaves are boldly outlined in a creamy white.
S. forsterianumis a native plant to Western Europe, specifically the British Isles.
It tolerates heat, humidity, and poor soil.
Plant it in Zones 3-8 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.
Popular selections include ‘John Creech’ and ‘Dragon’s Blood’.
Grown in Zones 4-9, this plant is evergreen in milder climates.
Foliage turns burgundy in fall.
S. ternatumis native to the Eastern U.S. and can be grown in Zones 3-9.
It can tolerate full sun but does especially well in partial or full shade.
Then replant in prepared soil and water.
Potting And Repotting Sedum
Low-growing sedums make wonderful companions inmixed containerswith 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.
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 likeS.
see to it 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.
verify the soil drains well and remains mostly dry.
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.
Leaves may also appear curled or stunted.
You may need to do this for several days before the aphids move on.
Leggy Growth
Leggy growth can be sparked by too little sunlight.
Increase sun exposure if your plant is getting too much shade.
Some varieties like ‘Angelina’ do spread rapidly.
Creeping sedums are very tough, drought-tolerant plants that can make a good low-maintenance lawn.
They also have the advantage of blooming in spring or summer.
However, sedums do not tolerate foot traffic, so they should only be used in light-traffic areas.
This depends on where you live.
In mild climates, many sedums are evergreen or semi-evergreen.
Tall, upright sedums will die back to a rosette of leaves at ground level.
In colder climates, sedum may die back to the ground in winter.
