Sedum is a fantastic choice for ground cover in your garden, offering a low-maintenance, hardy option that thrives in various conditions. With their ability to spread quickly and adapt to tough environments, these plants are a go-to for filling in spaces and adding texture to your yard. Sedums come in a wide range of varieties, each bringing its own unique colors and forms. From vibrant greens to rich reds, these plants are a great way to add interest and color to your garden without requiring constant attention.
Caring for sedum is relatively easy, but a little knowledge goes a long way in helping them thrive. These plants prefer well-draining soil and a good amount of sunlight, making them perfect for areas with poor soil or limited water. Understanding the specific needs of the different varieties will ensure you get the best performance out of them, whether you’re planting them as a ground cover or using them to fill in between other plants. With 17 different sedum varieties to consider, there’s no shortage of ways to bring these resilient beauties into your garden.
Sedum Acre
Sedum Acre, or “goldmoss sedum,” is renowned for its tiny, star-shaped yellow flowers. This hardy ground cover thrives in full sun and poor soil, making it ideal for rock gardens. Its bright foliage remains evergreen in mild climates, adding year-round interest.
Sedum Acre is drought-tolerant and requires minimal care once established. Water sparingly during prolonged dry periods.
To promote healthy growth, trim back dead stems in early spring. This sedum is also an excellent choice for green roofs due to its resilience and ability to spread quickly.
Sedum Spurium
Sedum Spurium, commonly known as “Dragon’s Blood,” features rosy pink flowers that bloom in summer. Its foliage turns deep red in autumn, providing seasonal interest. This variety forms dense mats, perfect for filling gaps between stepping stones.
It prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade. Sedum Spurium is incredibly tough, enduring drought and poor soil conditions.
For best results, plant it in well-draining soil and water moderately. Prune in early spring to maintain shape and encourage new growth. This sedum is a favorite for both garden beds and container arrangements.
Sedum Reflexum
Sedum Reflexum, also known as “Blue Spruce,” is admired for its blue-green, needle-like leaves. This ground cover produces yellow flowers in summer, adding a splash of color. It’s perfect for rock gardens and borders.
This sedum prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal watering.
To maintain its appearance, trim back leggy stems in late winter or early spring. Sedum Reflexum is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, visually appealing option for their landscapes.
Sedum Album
Sedum Album, or “white stonecrop,” is known for its white flowers and green foliage that turns reddish in fall. It’s a versatile ground cover, suitable for various garden settings.
This sedum thrives in full sun and poor soil, ideal for rockeries and slopes. Being drought-resistant, it requires little water once established.
For care, remove any dead stems in early spring to encourage healthy growth. Sedum Album is perfect for those looking to add texture and interest to their garden with minimal effort.
Sedum Sexangulare
Sedum Sexangulare, or “tasteless stonecrop,” boasts tiny yellow flowers and dense, evergreen foliage. This ground cover is ideal for sunny spots in rock gardens or borders.
It thrives in well-drained soil and tolerates drought conditions, requiring minimal care once established.
To keep it looking its best, trim away old growth in early spring. Sedum Sexangulare is perfect for gardeners seeking a hardy, attractive plant that provides year-round interest with its persistent foliage and cheerful blooms.
Sedum Ternatum
Sedum Ternatum, or “woodland stonecrop,” is unique with its white flowers and lush green foliage. Suited for shaded areas, it thrives in woodland gardens and moist, well-drained soil.
Unlike other sedums, it requires more water, especially during dry spells.
For care, remove dead growth in early spring to encourage new shoots. Sedum Ternatum is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add ground cover in shaded environments, providing a delicate, ethereal beauty with its soft blooms and foliage.
Sedum Sieboldii
Sedum Sieboldii, known for its pink flowers and blue-green leaves edged in pink, offers a unique aesthetic. This variety is perfect for containers and rock walls.
It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant, it requires minimal water once established.
To maintain its unique shape, prune leggy stems in spring. Sedum Sieboldii is a standout choice for adding color and texture to the garden, and its cascading growth habit makes it a favorite among gardeners seeking a creative touch.
Sedum Ewersii
Sedum Ewersii, or “pink stonecrop,” features mauve flowers and rounded blue-green leaves. It’s ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries.
This sedum thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, showing remarkable drought resistance.
Water sparingly, especially during dry periods, and prune back old stems in early spring to encourage new growth. Sedum Ewersii is perfect for those who appreciate low-maintenance plants that bring color and texture to their gardens without demanding much attention.
Sedum Hispanicum
Sedum Hispanicum, or “Spanish stonecrop,” is admired for its grayish-blue foliage that turns reddish in winter. This ground cover is ideal for Mediterranean gardens.
It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal water once established.
For care, trim away dead growth in early spring. Sedum Hispanicum is an excellent choice for those looking to add a touch of elegance and resilience to their garden spaces, offering unique seasonal color changes.
Sedum Lineare
Sedum Lineare, also known as “needle stonecrop,” features bright yellow flowers and linear green leaves. It’s perfect for garden beds and borders.
This sedum prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant, needing little water once established.
To keep it tidy, trim back any leggy stems in spring. Sedum Lineare is ideal for gardeners seeking a vibrant, low-maintenance plant that can add a splash of sunshine to their outdoor spaces with its cheerful blooms.
Sedum Makinoi
Sedum Makinoi is prized for its rich green leaves and delicate yellow flowers. Suited for shaded garden areas, it thrives in moist, well-drained soil.
Unlike many sedums, this variety requires more water, especially in dry conditions.
To encourage lush growth, remove dead stems in early spring. Sedum Makinoi is perfect for those seeking a lush, verdant ground cover in shaded spots, bringing a touch of elegance and color with its charming blooms.
Sedum Rupestre
Sedum Rupestre, or “reflexed stonecrop,” is notable for its spiky, green foliage that turns yellowish in summer. It’s ideal for modern garden designs and rockeries.
This sedum thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, showing excellent drought resistance.
For care, prune back leggy stems in spring to maintain its distinctive appearance. Sedum Rupestre is an excellent choice for those seeking a contemporary plant that adds texture and interest to their garden spaces.
Sedum Oreganum
Sedum Oreganum is known for its green leaves and red-edged yellow flowers. It’s perfect for coastal gardens due to its tolerance of salt and wind.
This sedum prefers full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal water once established.
To keep it healthy, trim back old growth in spring. Sedum Oreganum is ideal for gardeners in coastal regions, offering resilience and year-round interest with its attractive foliage and blooms.
Sedum Sarmentosum
Sedum Sarmentosum, or “stringy stonecrop,” features yellow flowers and sprawling green stems. It’s ideal for covering rocks and slopes.
It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, demonstrating drought tolerance.
Water sparingly once established and prune back any excessive growth in spring. Sedum Sarmentosum is a great choice for those looking to add a cascading element to their garden, offering vibrant color and a robust growth habit.
Sedum Dasyphyllum
Sedum Dasyphyllum, or “blue tears,” is cherished for its tiny blue leaves and pink flowers. It’s perfect for rocky garden slopes.
This sedum prefers full sun and well-drained soil, showing good drought resistance.
To promote healthy growth, trim away old stems in early spring. Sedum Dasyphyllum is ideal for gardeners seeking a unique, low-maintenance plant that offers a delicate beauty with its small, colorful foliage and blooms.
Sedum Pachyclados
Sedum Pachyclados is admired for its compact rosettes and small white flowers. It’s ideal for dry, alpine garden settings.
This sedum thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal water once established.
For care, trim away dead growth in early spring to encourage fresh shoots. Sedum Pachyclados is perfect for those looking to add a touch of elegance and structure to their gardens, providing a unique texture and resilience to outdoor spaces.
Sedum Sunsparkler
Sedum Sunsparkler is a vibrant variety with variegated leaves and clusters of pink flowers. It’s ideal for garden beds and borders.
This sedum prefers full sun and well-drained soil, showing considerable drought resistance.
To maintain its vivid appearance, prune any dead stems in spring. Sedum Sunsparkler is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a lively, colorful addition to their landscapes, offering both visual appeal and low maintenance.