Cacti & Succulents
Sedum efflorescence can lighten up up just about any garden . But turn them can be challenging if you ’ve not acquire them before . There are several factors you ’ll need to design for before tot them into your garden . In this clause , gardening and flower expert Taylor Sievers walk through every step you ’ll need to stick to for a unadulterated Sedum blush during your next acquire time of year .
Contents
succulent , succulents , everywhere ! If you ’re hip on trends in the gardening industry , or simply like to lurk on Pinterest , you ’ve doubtlessly come acrossSedumspecies while scrolling through class feature succulents or houseplant . Sedumsarenot normally the stopper succulents(like cute “ hens and chick ” , a foul mini cactus , or the great aloe plant ) , but they sure provide a plenty of time value as a “ spiller ” tail out of a pot or acting as a groundcover in a rock garden or xeriscape .
Sedumspecies belong to theCrassulaceaefamily — a family have intercourse for their simple-minded , loggerheaded , and succulent leave coiffure in a whorl - like appearance . The common name for the syndicate isthe Stonecrop family , because of the family ’s nature ofinhabiting jolting outcropsand fissure . Sedum , kalanchoe , “ biddy and chicks , ” as well as many of the voguish houseplants known plainly as “ succulents ” ( Crassula spp . ,Echiveria spp . , etc ) belong to this class .
To clear up some taxonomic confusion , here ’s a petty billet : Once a part of theSedumgenus , the vertical succulent shrubsalso cognise as showy stonecrops(the most popular form have intercourse as ‘ Autumn Joy ’ ) are nowclassifiedinto the genusHylotelephium .
Sedumsare known for their heat and drouth tolerance , as well as theirability to draw in pollinator , like butterfliesand bees . They areperfect candidates for rock gardensand a exonerative plant in the landscape painting for the beginning nurseryman . learn on to learn more about these easy - propagate plants !
Sedum Plant Overview
Plant History
Sedums are native to many regions of the world , thoughit ’s unclear when these plants begin to be used ornamentally , which is their main use today . However , a few species have been recorded in medicative and herbal tradition throughout time .
S. sarmentosumwas used in Asian folk medicine to treat chronic inflammatory diseases like chronic viral hepatitis . Many countries expend a form ofSedumspecies in salads and soups . In East Asia , S. sarmentosumleaves and flowers have been used in apopular veg dishcalled “ namul . ” The Dutch also used this species in salad due to its sour discernment .
S. reflexumwas document by nineteenth - century German naturalist and explorerAlexander von Humboldt , and his preferent use for this plant was in soups . North Americans have usedS. rhodanthumtossed in their salads .
If you ’ve done some searching online for information onSedums , you ’ll probably be pretty disordered . That ’s because a few popular garden plant that were once reckon part of theSedumgenus have now been shifted to their own genus . Once a part of theSedumgenus , the upright succulent shrubs also known as showy stonecrop ( a most democratic variety known as ‘ Autumn Joy ’ ) are now class into the genusHylotelephium .
Just be aware that many hoi polloi still relate to them as “ sedums . ” They ’re known for being moreupright and shrubby , but many of the cultural requirements are the same as otherSedumspecies . In a nutshell , do n’t shy off from addingHylotelephiumspecies to your garden also !
In the United States , you ’ll detect some Sedums that arenative to the areas they live , and still , others that have escaped garden and naturalized in particular areas . Across mintage in the natural state , there can also be fussy - pollination , making flora identification even more difficult .
Propagation
sedum areextremely easy to circularise , which adds to their value for the father plant disseminator . Plants can be circularise via seminal fluid , leafage cuttings , and stem film editing .. Here ’s a few tips for each method acting :
This is not the most democratic method due to the ease with which sedum can be circulate by cuttings . However , starting seed can be easy ( although slow).Sedum seed is bantam , so the good way to start them is by surface sow into a pot or propagation tray . Fill your container up with a damp seed - starting mix and light press the seeds into the aerofoil . Dust with vermiculite to aid keep your seeds from dry out .
To body of water , you ’ll desire to make certain you ’re either befog or bottom watering until your semen germinate . Your peck or propagation tray must have holes in the bottom in parliamentary procedure to wick up moisture from awater - filled dish or tray below . Otherwise , you could use a spray bottle to periodically obscure your come - start mix .
Sedum seed can take almost a month to germinate , so check that you ’re watching your moisture point . Too much water can cause algae and mold , but too little and your seeds will dry out . check into on them at least once a dayand use a clear humidness noggin to keep wet in . you could buy humidness dome that will outfit onto your propagation trays , but you could also use the top of a formative bottle or Saran wrapper to achieve the same effect while also saving some money .
This is the most popular method acting of propagation for sedum due to the ease with which these species root . You have two options:1 ) stem cuttings or 2 ) leaf cuttings .
To broadcast sedum by stem cuttings , choose a levelheaded stem that is preferably not flowering with 4 or more folio . Using a clear , sharp tongue or duet of snips , snip the stem . Pull off the two lower leaves and cut short off the blossom head if the plant happens to be flowering . Leave a few leaves on the stem .
you may choose to either submerse the bottom of the fore in water for several week or simply imbed the root word into a pot full of loose and dampish potting mix , whichever you prefer . The two crucial things to note are to make trusted thetwo nodes where you pulled the leafage off are submergedand additionally ensure tokeep the press cutting moist , but not mucky , as it get to root .
root will egress from the nodes where the farewell once were , so that ’s why it is important to keep them submerged in pot mix or water system . The advantage of rooting cutting in a jarful of pee is thatyou get to see the antecedent form . check that to change the piss out every few twenty-four hours to avoid disease issues .
To circularize sedum by foliage cutting , it ’s as easy as plucking one of the succulent leave off of the plant and engulf the bottom of the leafage into some moist potting mix . Keep the mix moist , but not soggy , just like the stem cuttings . Roots should get down to form in 3 to 4 workweek , and eventually , you will notice small sedum offshoots come out from the base of the leaf .
When to Plant Sedum Outside
Propagation ofSedumcan take place any time of the yr due to this genus ’ adaptability into the home environment . However , if you wish to plant your sedum alfresco , then you will involve towait until the risk of frost has pass along . Most sedums are deciduous in temperate climates , meaning they will drop their leaves with the change of the time of year from Summer into Fall .
How to Grow Sedum
Sedumspecies prefer debauched - draining , dry ground . Their thick , succulent leaf are specially adapted for store water , which allows them to endure in dry areas or mood . However , these species are highly adaptable and willgrow almost anywhereas long as their roots are not allow for to be soggy for an protracted period of meter . Fertile soils can cause some plant life to become leggy , so set aside the areas of your garden with poor soils for these species .
develop your sedum in full sun ( at least 6 to 8 hoursof direct sun per day ) . They will also tolerate part sun as long as the soil is well - draining .
Sedumspecies are perfect forxeriscape garden , rock gardens , or green roof gardens . Xeriscape gardensare typically put in berth in arid climates because the works typically have low-down water requirements to survive . Rock garden lie in of species that typically creep or sprawl along the ground and are shallow - rootle . Green roof gardens are alike to rock’n’roll garden because the species chosen are typically sprawling in nature and have shallow tooth root systems .
If your sedum becomes tall-growing or rampant in growth , you canpinch the plant backto keep it tidy . Some sedum species will die back in the surrender , so it ’s best to remove the older growth after this occurs . This will keep your garden cracking and reduce the incidence of disease by remove one-time flora debris .
Varieties of Sedum
A quick exploration into the earthly concern of sedums can chop-chop leave you feel overwhelmed . There seem to be so many coinage , let alone cultivate varieties of each metal money . Below is a dislocation of some of themost pop coinage and varietiesto simplify your search for the gross sedum specimen for your garden .
This specie is also know as Hardy Baby Tears orWhite Stonecrop . It is a popular pick for green roof garden or as a houseplant due to its sprawl nature and rapid growth . The green leaf will have areddish tinge in the Fall , and the flowers will range in color from white-hot to pink to yellow . democratic varieties are ‘ Murale ’ and ‘ Purpureum ’ .
This variety has yellowed - green , flattened , succulent leave of absence touted for being edible until flowering . ‘ Ogon ’ seems toprefer afternoon shadein some clime . It forms a thick matt about2 inches highand spread to about 12 inches . The flowers are jaundiced - green .
The leafage ofthis tropic speciesis evergreen plant . The fore are trailing with succulent , drear - immature leaves and a silvery bloom that rubs off . Stems can reach lengths of 4 feet longand can be rather heavy . The leaf are overlapping and closely whorled , producing a spiral pattern that resembles braid .
Showy pinkish - red ink peak come along at the end of stems in the Summer , though it isless likely to bloom if grown indoors . This is a great campaigner for a hanging basket so the stems can fall down .
Thisflowering succulentis known for its love of rocky expanse and white , five - pointed flowers . Woodland or wild stonecrop is creeping in habit , with stem reaching4 to 8 inches high-pitched . The creep halt willroot at the nodes , leaving tiny plantlet after it dies back in the Fall . This coinage loves damp , bumpy ledges in its native habitat .
The leaf people of colour is whatmakes this varietyso eye - trip up . The leaves are aburgundy colorwith a pitch-black cast , and the flower also are a deep reddish colour . utilitarian for rock ‘n’ roll garden and containers , this species only reaches about 4 to 6 column inch tall and 6 to 8 inch wide .
This evergreen succulent species is aboriginal to easterly Asia , and due to its shoal - rootle nature is often used in green roof gardens . Carpet sedum will become leggy if not grown in full Sunday . The leaves are more linear than mostSedumspecies , andthe blooms of rug sedum are yellow . democratic varieties are ‘ Golden Teardrop ’ and ‘ Variegatum . ’
Thisspecies is evergreenand sprawling , growing 3 to 6 inches tall and 18 to 24 inch broad . Theleaves are flattened and toothed near the ends . The leafage colour is medium green with a reddish tinge around the edge . In the Fall , the lower leaf will knock off but the Modern leaves at the top will work Bourgogne . Popular varieties of this species are ‘ Red Carpet ’ , ‘ Tricolor ’ , and ‘ Dragon ’s origin ’ .
aboriginal to the primal and westerly mount ranges of Europe , this speciesis mat - take form , develop 4 inch grandiloquent and spreading up to 24 inches wide . The foliage arepointed , cylindric , and white-haired - green in show , though the foliation will twist reddish in the Fall in cool clime . The flowers are yellowed and typically in the Summer . ‘ Angelina ’ is a democratic variety with burnished yellow leaves with ginger - color tips .
Pests and Diseases
The understanding why many people love to grow sedum in their container or gardens is they are not typically bother by pests and disease . Of course , any plant can succumb to disease or pestsif not grown in the correct conditions , and for sedum , it appears that many problems spring up due to steady down or crown rots .
Rotting of root systems can occur due to fungal or bacterial infections of the plant life ’s ascendant system . Cool , sloshed conditions are most favorable to these pathogen , therefore it is imperative thatSedumspecies beplanted in wry or well - draining areas . Full Lord’s Day is not always a demand , but it will for sure avail to keep the soil on the drier side if you ’re planting your sedum in badly - run out dirt of heavy clay .
As a rule of quarter round , if your plant is stressed , then it is more likely to succumb to disease and pestilence infestation . Also , observe your landscape bedsfree of drained or decaying plant life tissueswill reduce disease relative incidence . This can be done by clipping off dead branch or leaves during the grow season and removing dead plant cloth in the Fall and Winter in anticipation of new Spring growth .
aphid are the master gadfly I ’ve seen on my own sedum flora , though they are ordinarily not a problem . spray your plants with aforceful stream of waterwill help pick apart off these pesky insect . If one of your plant has a serious infestation , you may weigh pulling that plant from your garden and destroying it .
Most of the trouble I ’ve encountered with aphid onSedumhave been when I ’ve curtail a stem and brought it inside to propagate as a stem cut , and in the process , I ’ve unknowingly bring in a few aphid . Within a few week , those few aphids can multiplyand sternly overrun a plant life and neighboring plants . Always break plants that have been alfresco before bringing them in spite of appearance , because many pests will thrive in the wry , strong term of a household .
Preservation
CollectSedumseed after the bloom have lead off to melt ( or wrick brown).Snip the flowerheadsoff and store them in a paper dish as they continue to dry .
However , unless you ’re wanting to try out your script at some sort of works breeding , or you ’re just feeling like you want to work on your longanimity , pile up semen fromSedumspecies is likely not necessary(or even worth it ) . These specie are so easily spread by leaf and theme slip that you ’ll have the honest luck propagatingSedumspecies by cut .
Sedum Plant Uses
The most far-flung function forSedumsis in the landscape painting or container for decorative function . MostSedumsarelow - growing , cascading , or matting - forming . They are arrant options for shallow rock gardens , xeriscape garden , and green roof gardens . The specie that cascade ( like Donkey ’s Tail or ‘ Angelina ’ ) are interesting specimens for hanging baskets .
Other cascade types ( like ‘ Ogon ’ ) look wonderfulspilling over the side of a pot . Plants that shower or drapery are cognise in the gardening industriousness as “ spillers ” in the “ thriller - makeweight - trotline ” method of container design . Low - grow and matt - forming type like ‘ Dragon ’s ancestry ’ look beautiful in the front of borders of landscape beds .
The most important thing to note is the growing zone of your species . While some species are aboriginal to the temperate midwestern United States , still others are aboriginal to the warm , dry region of Mexico or even the nerveless mountains of Europe . One thing is sure for almost allSedumspecies — they’re fairly drought broad . make them in a spot that ’s far aside from the hosepipe and you ’ll in all probability not have many problems .
Some species are eatable , but this is veryhighly drug-addicted on which mintage you are grow . In fact , some metal money arepoisonousbecause of the high presence of alkaloids in their leaves . If you ’re unsure about the species you ’re grow and whether it ’s edible , it ’s pretty simple — don’t eat it .
The speciesSedum alfredii , a aboriginal of South China , has been blow for use in the bioremediation of soils full of toxic metals . S. alfrediiwill collect and sequester high compactness ofcadmium and zincin its shoots . Scientists are eager to see if they can transfer the traits involved inS. alfredii ’s sequestering mechanism into new coinage and loan-blend by plant pick and breeding .
Frequently Asked Questions
Most sedums require full Sunday ( 6 to 8 hours of direct sunshine per daylight ) , but a few will tolerate part shade as long as the filth is well - draining . Most sedum are native to regions with shallow , rocky soils or arid , sandy soil , so they are intolerant of waterlogged soils or consideration in which the roots are exposed to too much wet . This is why they make excellent houseplant and are used in green roof gardens or xeriscapes .
sedum are perennial , but a few are aboriginal to warm region ( likeS. morganianuma.k.a . Donkey ’s Tail ) , therefore some will not make it the temperate climate winters . Be sure to check the plant tag at the nursery or garden center if you ’re want a perennial sedum for your area . Some sedums will die back in the downfall and regrow in the Spring , while others are evergreen plant ( keep their leaves throughout Winter ) . you’re able to always bestow them within to live as houseplants during the Winter , or good yet , pluck a few leaf or stems from your plant life and convey the cutting off inside to propagate new sedum plants for next time of year !
Many sedum are lauded for their excellent matting - organize and spreading abilities because their intended use is as a basis natural covering in the landscape painting . Some spread more than others , and some can scatter so much that they take over an surface area . For the most part , they ’re easy to handle though if they do spread . Some sedum will spread by dropping their leaves . The foliage will settle onto the soil and root , forming a raw flora , which is how they ’ve proliferated in the wild .
Succulents are plants that have thick , fleshy leaves or stems . These “ succulent ” leaves and staunch are water repositing organs for the flora , which is why they can live on and thrive in neighborhood of the Earth with intense Dominicus , circumscribed rainfall , and low humidity . For the most part , succulents opt full sun and juiceless conditions . They ’re popular houseplants because of their downcast requirement for humidness .
Succulents let in a reach of plant life families and species , include : cacti , Sedumspecies , kalanchoe , ophidian industrial plant ( a.k.a . female parent - in - police ’s tongue ) , aloe , agave , andSempervivumspecies ( “ hens and chicks ” ) .
Final Thoughts
If you ’re looking for a relatively sustenance - complimentary , gadfly - innocent , and easy to propagate plant for your garden , then aSedumspecies might be just what you ’re looking for ! The succulent leave behind of many of these metal money arehighly decorative . As a bonus , they do n’t mind being on the drier side , so they make perfect houseplant , too .
Their sprawling habit and shoal - settle nature also permit them to fill the nook and chap of a rock garden attractively . And the best part about these plants?you’re able to well share a folio cut with a friendso they can enjoy the uncomplicated charm of these plants in their own garden , too !
