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Roseroot

Sedum (SEE-dum)

Family: Crassulaceae Non-native Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

Sedum is a genus of succulent, herbaceous perennials with fleshy, flat or rounded leaves depending on the species. In general, the plant is upright and spreads along the ground. The genus has over 300 species, though many have been moved to the genus Hylotelephium . Genus name comes from the Latin word sedeo meaning to sit in reference to the habit of many of the sedums species to sit and sprawl over rocks. It can be grown as a houseplant, ground cover, or interiorscape or landscape. When grown outdoors, most species need sun to part sun. They are easy to grow indoors with bright direct light from a window or grow light. Use a coarse, well-drained soil, preferably a cactus mix. Sedum tolerates rocky and poor soils well, establishes itself quickly, and most species are cold tolerant. The succulent leaves make them drought and dry soil tolerant. They can be damaged by deer. The taller Sedum species produce large clusters of flowers, in white, yellow, pink, or red and can be used in borders or pollinator gardens. The low-growing species are generally grown for their foliage and spread by rooting stems and work great on a slope, rock garden, ground cover, hanging baskets, and even green roofs. Sedums withstand only light foot traffic. The leaves tend to fall off easily; however, the fallen leaves can be used to propagate new plants. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs and snails. Avoid wet or poorly drained conditions. Taller sedum species with large flower heads are susceptible to flopping. Site in full sun and pinch back in spring to force thicker stems. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course created in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 59 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Often confused with Kalanchoe
Fills a similar niche Hylotelephium 'Matrona' Salvia rosmarinus Sedum 'Birthday Party'

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ground Cover; Herbaceous Perennial; Houseplant; Succulent
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry | Very Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low; Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Horizontal; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Opposite; Whorled
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Fleshy
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are fleshy, flat to terete, opposite to whorled, or alternate; variable in shape, size, and teeth by species. Frequently cylindrical.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Orange; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The small flowers usually have 4-6 petals. There are typically twice as many stamens as petals. Inflorescence is cymes and star-shaped. Color varies by species.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruit follicular, membranous or leathery, often surrounded by a persistent membranous corolla, opening on the adaxial side, Seeds mostly minute, usually with fleshy endosperm.
Stem detail
Stems are erect, decumbent, or tufted, usually more or less glaucous and fleshy.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
East Asia
Distribution
Europe, Turkey, Northern Africa, North America
Wildlife value
Bees enjoy the nectar. Birds enjoy the seeds.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Songbirds
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators; Easy to Grow
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers; Stems
Fruit type
Capsule

Edibility

The stems and leaves can be eaten raw when very young and tender. Later, until they flower, they may be eaten after briefly cooking. Not poisonous, but when eaten in quantity, can cause stomach upset.

Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Houseplants; Recreational Play Area; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Vertical Spaces; Walkways
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Children's Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Border; Small groups
Garden tags
#green roof #deciduous #low maintenance #drought tolerant #semi-evergreen #rabbit resistant #succulent #evergreen #groundcover #children's garden #fantz #pollinator plant #colorful leaves #bird friendly #full sun tolerant #partial shade tolerant #hsc-s #hsc #fall interest #heat tolerant #easy to grow #houseplant #easy to grow houseplant #dry soils tolerant #container plant #shallow soil tolerant #well-drained soil #hanging baskets #playground plant #perennial #wildlife friendly #cpp #HS111 #HS303 #HS304 #hortcontest #poor soil tolerant #fpp
Problems & Resistance
Disease problems
Southern Blight of Herbaceous Ornamentals
Resistant to
Drought; Dry Soil; Foot Traffic; Heat; Poor Soil
Propagation
Leaf Cutting; Seed; Stem Cutting

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.