Growing Sedum Plants

About the Sedum Species

The sedum plant is one of the easiest-to-grow succulents. Be it bad soil or too harsh of sunlight; it is ever forgiving. It is a perennial plant bearing fleshy stems that are pretty thick. The flowers are primarily star-shaped.

A sedum plant is also called stonecrop. This variety looks extremely coy and beautiful in any garden design. The best part is that sedum care does not take time at all!

Before we talk about succulent sedum care, we need to know that there are two broad categories of sedum.

1. Low-growing are the types that tend to grow along the ground. They spread around and do not grow more than a few inches. Thus, these sedum plants act as good ground cover. You can try them as cascading plants down a stone wall. Also, sedum ground cover care is minimal.
2. Upright sedum grows tall and straight, mostly as clumps. This category, in the past few years, was reclassified as Hylotelephium. The upright plants are good candidates for planting along the border of gardens. The plant bears reddish-pink blooms, which are quite small in size.

Where to Plant Sedums?

Whether you are planning to grow sedum outdoors or indoors, it is vital to place them in the right area. Hylotelephium are border sedums and, therefore, ideally suited for outdoors. These pink sedum plants require sunny areas with well-drained soil. The stonecrops or the low-growth sedum are best suited for growing in a shaded area. Sedum in pots looks wonderful; try to go for terracotta or window box containers.

How to Care For Sedum Plants?

Whether planting sedum in pots indoors or outdoors, the ideal time to plant sedum is either spring or summer. You need to add a lot of grit to the soil for good drainage; water the mixture well before planting. Once planted, the sedum plant usually does not require much watering due to its drought-tolerant nature.

The low-growth succulents usually need to be laid on the ground. That is enough for roots to start sprouting - simple drop and grow sedum ground cover. The taller sedums need different handling. You need to take one stem and push it into the center of the soil. Roots will start to form very quickly.

How to Grow Sedum: Growing Conditions

1. Sedum light requirements - One usual question about sedums is ‘do sedums need sun?’. The answer is a yes; sedum prefers full sun. Sedum varieties have the best growth in full sun. It means direct sunlight for a minimum of six hours in a day.
2. The best soil for Sedum plants - Give the plant loose sandy soil. They love the loam gravelly features. It is because the plant is drought-resistant and does not prefer water standing at its roots.
3. Sedum water requirements - Being drought-resistant, sedums do not need much water. Once a week, watering is just fine to keep the plant happy. Watering sedum in pots should also be restricted to once in seven days. The soil needs to be dried before watering. The plant has thick leaves that store enough water to support it through extended periods of drought. The same rule applies whether growing sedum in containers or outdoors.
4. Temperature - A critical aspect of sedum succulent care is the temperature they can tolerate. The plant can live well even in high temperatures, i.e., beyond 90°F.
5. Humidity - One of the best growing conditions for sedum is to let the plant have exceptionally well-drained soil in areas where humidity levels are high.
6. Fertilizer - There is no need to add fertilizers to the plant in most cases. They can grow well even in nutrient-poor soil. An essential aspect of sedum plant care outdoors is that if the soil is highly nutrient-rich, it can lead to leggy growth.

FAQs

• Do Sedums need full sun?

Yes, stonecrops and Hylotelephium need full sun.

• How to propagate Sedums?

Hylotelephium can be divided during the growing season, i.e., spring. Uproot the plant carefully, split it into parts, and replant them. Give the plant good watering initially. The best way to propagate stonecrops is through stem or leaf cuttings or offsets from the mother plant.

• How often should you water Sedums?

Sparingly. The plant hardly requires any water due to its thick leaves. Once a week, watering is enough.

• Can you grow Sedums in pots?

Yes.

• What are the names of some best Sedums for the sun?

Autumn Joy, Purple Emperor, Coral Carpet, Black Jack, Baby Tears, etc.

• Where can I buy a miniature Sedum?

Try ordering sedums of all shapes and sizes from Planet Desert, the best site to buy plants online.