Sedum (stonecrop)
Hylotelephium spectabile (showy stonecrop), H. telephium and hybrids such as 'Herbstfreude' ('Autumn Joy'); formerly Sedum · Stonecrop family (Crassulaceae)
| Hardiness zones | 3 to 9 |
|---|---|
| Sun | full sun |
| Water | low |
| Life cycle | perennial |
| Frost | Hardy: takes frost |
| Soil pH | 6.0–8.0 |
| Spacing | 12 to 36 inches |
About Sedum (stonecrop)
Upright stonecrops like 'Autumn Joy' are succulent perennials with fleshy blue-green leaves and flat heads of tiny star flowers that open pink, deepen to red and age to coppery rust. They thrive on neglect in sun and dry, lean soil, and bees and butterflies crowd the flowers in late summer and fall. Dried seed heads stand through winter.
NC State lists 'Autumn Joy' for zones 3-10 and showy stonecrop for 4-9; UF/IFAS lists 'Autumn Joy' for 5-9. Plants die back to the ground in winter and regrow from the roots.
When to plant
Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.
Start new plants from stem cuttings or by division (NC State; UF/IFAS). Divide clumps every 3-4 years in early spring to keep them vigorous (NC State Beaufort County).
Soil
Well-drained soil of average to low fertility, including clay and shallow rocky ground; overly moist or rich soil leads to rot and floppy stems (NC State).
Plant in well-drained soil of average to low fertility; rocky or sandy ground is fine. Don't enrich it heavily (NC State).
Feeding
Rich or moist soil makes stonecrop floppy and prone to rot (NC State); overwatering is a bigger risk than drought (NC State Beaufort County). No fertilizer is normally needed.
Harvest
Buds form in summer and open from late summer into fall, peaking around late September. No deadheading is needed; leave the dried heads for winter interest and cut them off in spring. Pinching or cutting stems back in early spring keeps plants bushy; cutting in summer makes them shorter but delays bloom (NC State).
Varieties (19)
| Variety | Type | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Delight | Orpine (H. telephium) | Chartreuse leaves edged in blue-green, with light pink flowers. | |
| Matrona | Orpine (H. telephium) | Purple stems, bronze-tinged gray-green leaves and pale dusty-rose flowers. | |
| Munstead Dark Red | Orpine (H. telephium) | Dark pink flowers. | |
| Picolette | Orpine (H. telephium) | Bronze and dark green leaves with rose-mauve flowers. | |
| Purple Emperor | Orpine (H. telephium) | Dusky purple leaves with pink to mauve flowers. | |
| Red Cauli | Orpine (H. telephium) | Purplish-green leaves and pink flowers. | |
| Xenox | Orpine (H. telephium) | Deep purple leaves and pink flowers. | |
| Xenox Yellow | Orpine (H. telephium) | Dark plum leaves and peach-apricot flowers. | |
| Autumn Fire | Showy stonecrop (H. spectabile) | Bluish-green leaves and dusky pink flowers. | |
| Brilliant | Showy stonecrop (H. spectabile) | Pale grayish-green leaves and starry carmine-pink flowers, brighter than 'Autumn Joy'. | |
| Carl | Showy stonecrop (H. spectabile) | Bluish-green leaves with small pink flowers. | |
| Hot Stuff | Showy stonecrop (H. spectabile) | Pale green leaves and bright purplish-pink flowers. | |
| Iceberg | Showy stonecrop (H. spectabile) | Pale green leaves and bright white flowers. | |
| Meteor | Showy stonecrop (H. spectabile) | Gray-green leaves and deep rose flowers. | |
| Neon | Showy stonecrop (H. spectabile) | Light green leaves and vivid rosy-magenta flowers. | |
| Rosenteller | Showy stonecrop (H. spectabile) | Light green leaves and pink flowers. | |
| Autumn Joy ('Herbstfreude') | Upright hybrid stonecrop | 1.5-2.5 ft clump of gray-green leaves; flower heads open pink, deepen to red and age to coppery rust. | |
| Mr Goodbud | Upright hybrid stonecrop | Red stems and large purple flower heads. | |
| Thundercloud | Upright hybrid stonecrop | Compact plant with white flowers. |
Pests to watch for
Aphids, Mealybugs, Scale insects, Slugs, Brown garden snail, Deer
Diseases and problems
Southern blight, Root rot
In the kitchen
NC State notes that very young leaves and stems have been eaten raw, or briefly cooked before the plant flowers, and taste bland. It also lists the plant as mildly toxic, so treat it as an ornamental.
Safety: NC State rates showy stonecrop and 'Autumn Joy' low in toxicity: all parts contain alkaloids (sedine, sedamine) that may upset the stomach if eaten. It does not irritate skin.
Pets: Not listed by name by the ASPCA. The ASPCA lists a related sedum, burro's tail (Sedum morganianum), as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses; NC State rates showy stonecrop low in toxicity (possible stomach upset).
Sources
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- ask.ifas.ufl.edu
- botanicgardens.uw.edu
- beaufort.ces.ncsu.edu
- aspca.org
- aspca.org
- homesoiltest.msu.edu
Photo: Photo: David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). Photo resized for the web.
Planting dates and advice are general guidance; check with your local Cooperative Extension office for your area.