How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum, also known as Stonecrop, is a favourite autumn plant for adding colour and texture in a fall garden. Paired with autumn daisy-like flowering plants, such as asters and rudbeckia, the sedum’s dense masses of flower ‘pillows’ guarantees your fall-inspired garden will never be dull, even at a time when most summer perennials are past their prime. Following is a guide with tips for growing sedum and how best to plant and care for this popular fall succulent plant.

Sedums are low maintenance and reliable, hardy perennials that grow in less hospitable areas of a sunny garden. Some sedums have a low creeping habit, lovely as a groundcover, while others that we love for fall colour grows as upright clumps perfect for mixed borders. Sedums are herbaceous perennials though there are evergreens. For the most part, the upright foliage will die back in colder regions and will regrow in early spring. The evergreens tend to the creeping sedums, and their foliage turns red or bronze in the winter.

Sedums are mostly native to various countries in Europe, north Africa and Asia. They are all hardy perennials except for the S. sieboldii. Popular tall upright sedums with stunning fall interest include the hardy S. Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’ Autumn Joy, Autumn Fire and Beach Party, valued for their flowers and foliage texture. Sedums are excellent for attracting bees and butterflies to a garden. And look ever so smart as a potted plant in container gardening.