Also receive the 蜜桃恋人 Daily newsletter including gardening tips, weather, astronomical events, and more.
Planting, Growing, and Caring for Sedums
Planting
Sedum enjoy full sun, but will tolerate some shade. If growing sedum in an area that gets long, cold winters (Zone 5 and colder), plant in full sun to improve overwintering capability.
Sedum grows well in poor or sandy soil, but it鈥檚 important to have well-drained soil to avoid fungal diseases. It is very susceptible to root rot if grown in soil that holds too much moisture. Overly rich soil can also encourage leggy growth, which can result in upright sedum varieties becoming top-heavy when they bloom.
When to Plant Sedum
- Sedum is usually bought in plugs or pots and transplanted into the garden. The best time to plant sedum is in the spring鈥攁fter the threat of frost but before the heat of summer kicks in.
- Plant sedum seeds in early spring in well-drained, average to rich soil. (Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting.)
How to Plant Sedum
- Space plants between 6 inches and 2 feet apart, depending on the variety. Low-growing sedums will readily spread to fill any gaps, while upright sedums tend to stay more compact.
- Planting full plants or divisions: Dig a hole deep enough so that the top of the root ball is level with the surface of the soil, then place the plant in the hole and fill in around it. Be careful not to bury the stems of upright sedum, as this can lead to rot.
- Planting cuttings: Like other succulents, sedum can be readily propagated via cuttings. Simply place the cut end into soil, and the cutting should have no trouble rooting under proper lighting and watering conditions.
Growing
- Once established, sedum plants require little care. During the summer, check your plants regularly to make sure they are not too dry and water (sparingly) if needed. As long as your area gets rain every couple of weeks at the least, sedum shouldn鈥檛 need any extra watering.
- After flowering, cut back the plants to maintain their shape or contain them in one area.
- Tip: For added winter interest, leave the flowers of upright sedum alone after they bloom. They will form attractive seed heads.
- Remember to divide your plants in the spring or fall to control their spread. Throughout the summer, divisions and cuttings root readily.
Catherine Boeckmann
ADVERTISEMENT
I have a well established large sedom. I've been waiting for it "bloom". It has what looks like blooms but it s still green. It's very healthy looking. Does it need a certain fertilizer?
We are disinclined to think it needs fertilizer. Per above, most ask for only a lot of sun. And excellent drainage. You don’t say where you are, but high heat can be oppressive for them, in which case partial sun is appreciated. It might help to know which particular type of sedum you’re referring to. Review the advice above, see if it sounds like what you’re doing.
i thought perhaps deer were eating the leaves off my sedum plants but the last several mornings I have seen little birds pecking at the leaves I do not see any little critters on the leaves but I am now left with stalks onlyI any suggestions?
Birds have been known to peck at sedum in the summer to get at the moisture stored in sedum’s leaves. Has it been particularly dry or hot where you live? This could be why the ever-resourceful birds are going to unusual lengths for water. We would suggest covering your sedum with some bird-proof netting for the time being. You can remove the netting once the sedum starts to flower, if it hasn’t already, as the birds should leave the flowers alone. We would also suggest putting out a bird bath or two in your yard to give the birds an alternative water source.
I just bought a sedum about 2-3 weeks ago, it's still in a container. Can I transplant it to the ground now or should I wait til fall?
Sedum should not have a problem with being planted during the summer. If possible, try to plant it at a time when there is a mix of sun and rain in the forecast. If your climate is particularly hot and dry, give the sedum a bit more water than you normally would.
What is typical size, height and width of sedum, and what about spacing?
Hi, Roger: This question is really too broad to answer. There are many varieties of sedum, which range in height/width from under a foot to several. Spacing varies, too. Some online research would be in order. Thanks for asking!
Can I fertilize with water soluble Miracle Grow rather than the granual kind suggested ? I have it out front & neighbors cats & dogs might be exposed to the granules that don't disolve . It would also be much easier for me , but not to the extent of harming the succulents . Advice ????
Sedum and other succulents are particularly sensitive to fertilizers, as their roots can be burned easily by high-nitrogen concentrations. Luckily, they don’t typically need much fertilizing. A slow-release (granular) fertilizer would likely be better for sedum, though. If you’re worried about neighborhood pets, try to find organic fertilizer alternatives.
