Planting
Where to Plant Sedum
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’s important to have well-draining 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—after the threat of frost but before the heat of summer kicks in.
- Plant sedum seeds in early spring in well-draining, 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’t 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.
Types
- Sedum humifusum makes for a great ground cover and has beautiful, bright yellow flowers
- ‘Brilliant’, ‘Autumn Fire’, and ‘Autumn Joy’ upright sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile, aka Sedum spectabile) add bursts of bright pink and magenta to your garden
- ‘Blue Spruce’ (Sedum reflexum) is a low-growing sedum with blue-green, spruce-like foliage and yellow flowers
More Like This
We are not familiar with any sedum cultivars called 'Holly', but there are so many sedum varieties out there! There are quite a few cultivars that have a vaguely holly-shaped leaf, though they are not spiky like a holly leaf. Most of the upright varieties fit this description.
Alternatively, could the plant be sea holly (Eryngium)? It's not related to sedum, but it does have a holly-like leaf. (And it is quite spiky!)
Sedum grows quite shallowly in the ground, so the easiest way to get rid of it is to simply pull it up. The pulled-up sedum will easily reroot, so share it with a neighbor or use it elsewhere on your property if you like.
To keep the sedum somewhat contained, consider adding a border of rocks around the area. The sedum will grow over the rocks, but the rock border will let you easily see where the sedum needs to be pruned next.
Hi Tammy,
Save the pods over winter to be planted in the late winter or early spring. Store the pods in a brown paper bag in a cool, dry, and dark place to keep them viable. Start germination by wrapping them in a damp paper towel contained in a sealed plastic bag. After a few days, you should see some small growth. Plant the seeds in soil and grow at 60 to 65°F indoors for 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting outside. If temperatures outside have already reached 60 to 65°F, plant directly outside. We hope this helps!
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- …
- 10
- Next »
Comments