The plants come in a wide variety of heights, colors, and forms.
They typically have tiny, star-shaped flowers that bloom late in the growing season.
Sedum generally has a moderate growth rate, but this depends on the species andvariety.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
These plants are extremely low-maintenance.
They don’t need deadheading (removing spent blooms), and they often look good even into winter.
However, extreme heat and a lack of sunlight can cause sedum plants to get a bit leggy.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Sedums are suitable for mass plantings, as edging andgroundcover, and for growing in containers.
Water newly planted sedums regularly until they are established.
However, in very hot, dry conditions, many sedum varieties do appreciate a bit of afternoon shade.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Thanks to their thick succulent leaves, established sedum plants have good drought tolerance.
Temperature and Humidity
Growing zones vary by sedum species.
Sedum plants also usually tolerate humidity well, but space plants well for good airflow to avoid powdery mildew.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Fertilizer
Sedum typically needs no supplemental fertilization and tolerates nutrient-poor soil.
In fact, soil that is too rich causes weak, leggy growth.
It does delay flowering, but it will create a fuller, more vibrant plant.
Older plants dying in the center and leaving a hole is an indication that they need to be divided.
Therefore it is not recommended to use sedum seeds for propagation.
The container size depends on the height and spread of the variety.
Combine smaller sedums with other plants in larger planters.
Repotting depends on the growth rate of the variety.
Wrap the containers in burlap and bubble wrap, orplace them in an insulating silo over the winter.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Sedum has generally very few pests and disease problems.
Occasionally slugs and snails might feed on the plant.
In poorly drained, wet soil, it is prone to get crown rot.
Too much water is another cause of reduced bloom.
None of the hundreds of sedum varieties are known to be toxic to pets.
Pros of sedum include low maintenance, and resistance to heat, drought, pests, and diseases.
The cons are that the stems are fragile and break easily and the roots are shallow.
The University of Vermont.
