How to Grow and Care for Sedum Flowers

About Growing Sedum Plants in Your Home Flower Garden

Sedum plants are a family of perennial, hardy, flowering succulents. There are many varieties ranging in size from just a couple of inches to about 3 feet tall. The smaller, more popular varieties are used as ground cover. Growing Sedum flowers is very easy. They are basically maintenance-free. Like other succulents, they are drought-tolerant. The flowers attract bees and butterflies.

Did you know? In old English translations, Sedum or Stonecrop means “sprouting from the stone”. Here’s an old garden saying “only stones require less care and live longer than Sedum.”

Use the smaller varieties for ground cover. Taller varieties are grown in groups or mounds. Use Sedum flowers as borders or edgings and in hanging baskets.

The taller varieties make good-cut flowers, fresh or dried. Try leaving some flowers in the garden to dry. It adds a splash of color to the fall and winter landscape.

Sedum flowers look and grow well in flowerpots and containers. Also, Sedum plants are good houseplants.

Sedum Flowers Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: Orange, pink, red, white, and yellow.

Flowers Bloom: Summer to Fall.

Plant height: Six inches to three feet, tall, depending upon variety.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 3 – 10

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 8.0.

Light Needs: Full sunlight to partial sun.

Toxic Plant? No, but toxic in high amounts.

Deer Resistant? Yes.

Number of Species: Approximately 600 species.

Native to: Many Sedum varieties originated in China. However, there are native species in almost all habitable areas of the planet.

Plant Type: Perennial

Botanical Name: Sedum acre

Other Names: Bittercress, Stonecrop

Are Sedum Plants Edible?

YES!!

Both the leaves and flowers are edible. The leaves have a mild peppery and somewhat bitter flavor. Use them in soups and salads. Substitute other greens with Sedum leaves in a variety of recipes.

However, do not eat the yellow flowers raw. They must be cooked first to remove mild toxins.

Perennial Sedum Plant Propagation

Sedum is grown from seed or from the division of its roots. Simply dig up the clump, divide and replant. Planting can be done in spring, summer, or fall.

If growing Sedum from seeds, we recommend an indoor start, as the seeds take a long time to sprout.

Note: For indoor starts, we recommend using a heated germination mat, to increase the speed of germination. And, it, results in a higher germination rate.

Sedum can also be grown from young, tender cuttings. Some varieties root well in water. Some are so easy to root, that a cutting will quickly take root in damp soil.

Days to Germination: 14 – 28 days.

About Seed Germination

How to Grow Sedum Flower Plants

Planting location and soil needs:

Sedum plants like full sun to partial shade. Plants grow well in either rich or average soils. Soil should be well-drained, as they do not like wet soils. Established plants are drought tolerant. Once your plants are established, they should grow well for years and years…decades.

Mix compost into the soil the first time you plant them. It helps them get off to a quick start in their new home.

Fertilizer needs:

Begin fertilizing established plants in the early spring. In average to poor soil, apply a general-purpose fertilizer two or three times a season. In rich soils, no fertilizer may be required.

Water needs:

During most of the year, these succulents need no additional water. However, during extended periods of hot and dry weather. water the plants once every week or two. Give them a good drink. Then, let the soil dry out between watering.

Cut back tall plants any time after fall frost, but before the plant begins to grow again in the spring.

When growing Sedum indoors as a houseplant, it prefers 3-4 hours of direct sunlight or several hours of artificial light. Other than that, this easy-to-grow plant should do well for you indoors.

How to Prune Sedum Plants

These succulents are a low-maintenance plant. They require little or no pruning. Remove the occasional dead or damaged leaves and stems.

In the spring, you can give the plant a light trim to maintain a shapely plant, if desired.

Removing spent flowers helps to maintain a neat and tidy plant appearance.

How to Grow Sedum Flowers in Flowerpots and Containers

Sedum flowers are attractive in flowerpots and containers on your balcony or deck. You may even choose to grow the smallest varieties in a windowsill planter.

Like any container-grown plant, they need a little more care and attention. In addition to normal plant care, here’s how to grow Sedum flowers in containers:

Select a sunny to partly sunny location on your patio or deck.
It is important to have a drain hole in the container to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants every several days, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Keep the soil slightly dry to slightly moist. But remember, the plants do not like wet soil not wet. Let the soil dry between watering.
When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a flowerpot are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer once a month.

Insects and Plant Disease

Insect and disease problems are all but non-existent. Foraging deer and rabbits leave Sedum alone.

Root rot occurs in wet and soggy soils. Make sure the soil is well-draining.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cure

Overwintering Sedum Plants

Sedum flowers are cold hardy plants. In your flower garden, practically all varieties need no special winter protection.

For Overwintering Sedum Plants in Containers

If left outdoors in cold northern climates, the crown can freeze and die. This will damage or kill them. So, plan on sheltering the containers from the most brutal winters. We recommend bringing them inside of your home over the winter months to grow as a houseplant. You can also overwinter them in a cool garage, a shed, or a greenhouse. Then, return the containers to your patio or deck in mid-spring.