Sedum plant: planting, caring for, varieties & Co.

The sedum plant (also Sedum or stonecrop) can beautify your garden all year round. Information on the numerous varieties of the perennial as well as everything you need to know about planting, caring for, multiplying and wintering the sedum plant can be found in this article.

The name sedum (Sedum) denotes a genus in the thick-leaf family (Crassulaceae). There are over 400 different species and numerous varieties worldwide, many of which are at home in our gardens. Sedum species are also often called "fat hen". However, this name is also used synonymously for an edible mushroom, the "Krause Glucke".

Sedum plant: characteristics and origin

With the names stonecrop and stonecrop are numerous closely related species within the genus Sedum summarized. The terms are often used synonymously, although the two species groups differ somewhat in their growth habit. While under "sedum" above all the higher, clumpy growing ones Sedum- Perennials are grouped together, one understands by "stonecrop" rather the ground-covering, carpet-forming species. Most of the sedum species are found in North America and Asia. In addition, one also finds Sedum- Species in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Overall, the subtropical and temperate zones of the northern hemisphere are considered to be the natural range of the genus Sedum.

In addition to the growth form, the different ones differ Sedum-Species and sorts in the color of leaves and flowers as well as in the arrangement of their leaves. In addition, the fat hens sometimes have different flowering times. Common features are the fleshy leaves, which the plants use to store water, as well as the associated adaptation to dry and poor locations. Depending on the type and variety, they bloom Sedum- Perennials between June and July or during the summer until autumn. This makes them valuable feed donors for the bees and wild bees that still fly around late in the year.

The most beautiful species and varieties of the sedum plant

Popular stonecrop varieties or species of the genus suitable for the garden Sedum are among other:

• Spicy stonecrop (Sedum acre): 5 to 10 cm high ground covering, evergreen perennial; spreads like a carpet; ovate, green and fleshy leaves; numerous yellow, star-shaped flowers between June and July.

• White sedum or red moss stonecrop (Sedum album ˈLaconicumˈ): Approximately 5 to 15 cm high ground covering, carpet-forming perennial; star-shaped, umbel-like flowers in brilliant white between July and August; rather vigorous; Some of the leaves turn brownish-red in the sun.

• Magnificent Stonecrop or Magnificent Fettblatt (Sedum spectabile ˈBrillantˈ): 40 to 50 cm high clump-forming perennial; oval, light green, succulent leaves with a curved leaf margin; large, umbel-shaped flowers in a magnificent purple red from August to September; can also grow well in slightly more humid soils.

• Purple Stonecrop or Hohes Fettblatt (Sedum telephium ˈAutumn joyˈ): 50 to 70 cm high, bushy, heavily clumpy perennial; large, umbellate, brownish-red flowers late in the year (August to September); oval, gray-green, succulent leaves that turn yellow in autumn; can also grow well in slightly more humid locations.

Plant sedum plant: location and timing

The sedum plant is ideal for planting stone structures, open spaces with a heather character or as a green roof. Above all, it prefers dry, shallow locations with a sandy, well-drained substrate. But also a cultivation of Sedum in the pot is possible. Most sedum species prefer a location in full sun, but there are also species that are well adapted to partial shade. The soil should have an alkaline to neutral pH value and be well permeable due to a high proportion of stone, gravel or sand.

Overall apply Sedum- Species as very undemanding plants that have an extremely low nutritional requirement. Accordingly, a nutrient-poor and humus-poor substrate should be selected or produced. Soils that are too rich in nutrients make the fatty hens susceptible to frost and diseases. In the garden you should always mix one part of the soil with two parts of sand or gravel so that the required permeability is achieved.

If you want to cultivate the sedum plant or stonecrop in a pot, a nutrient-poor soil such as our peat-free soil is suitable Plantura organic herb & seed compost very good. With its low nutrient content, it meets the requirements of Sedum-Species optimal. For better permeability, a third of sand should be added and a drainage layer made of stones, gravel or pottery shards should be placed on the bottom of the vessel.

The sedum plant or stonecrop can generally be planted all year round. The best time, however, is spring, as the plants have enough time until autumn to grow and develop.

Care of the sedum plant

The sedum plant is very easy to care for. If it is in the right location, it will thrive without much effort. However, you should pay attention to a few peculiarities.

Cut the sedum plant

The flat, carpet-forming stonecrop varieties do not need to be cut. If they get too big, parts of the rhizomes can be separated and replanted in other places.

The higher adipose hens are cut compatible and can be cut, for example, in autumn. You can use the decorative flowers, for example in combination with rose hips and heather, to make pretty autumn wreaths or bouquets.

tip: If you want to cut flower stems for the vase or a flower arrangement, you should always start close to a leaf. This increases the chance that the sedum plant will sprout again at this point.

Due to their special ornamental value, the flower stalks can also be wonderfully left standing all winter and only cut in the following spring before new shoots. The stalks with the lush inflorescences are then dried up and can be shortened by one to two thirds. Lignified parts of plants should be cut off close to the ground so that the perennials are rejuvenated and can then sprout again vigorously.

Fertilize and water sedum plant

The sedum plant not only has a low need for nutrients, it is even sensitive to excessive fertilization. In addition to the production of a nutrient and humus poor substrate SedumSo species are not fertilized a lot either. When growing in a pot Sedum-Plants should, however, occasionally replace the substrate or use a soil activator such as ours Plantura organic soil activator, processed.

Excessive water supply can also damage the sedum plant and stonecrop. The drought specialists should only water infrequently and ensure that excess irrigation water drains off quickly. In this way you can prevent the plants from becoming more susceptible to frosts and pests or from being less stable.

tip: Especially with potted plants, waterlogging can occur more frequently due to the small volume of soil. This can be successfully counteracted with a drainage hole in the bottom of the vessel and a drainage layer made of gravel or pottery shards.

Propagating sedum plant: this is how it works

The sedum plant can be propagated in three different ways. They can be easily propagated by division, vegetatively using cuttings or generatively using seeds.

Become ground cover Sedum-Species too big, you can simply cut off a piece with a spade, carefully detach it from the substrate and plant it again in another place. Alternatively, cuttings can be cut in spring and then placed in growing containers filled with substrate. With occasional moistening, they will take root within a few weeks and can be planted out.
Propagation by seeds is also usually reliable. The seeds can be harvested and dried in October and November. They are sown in the garden or on the balcony between March and May. Since the sedum plant to the Light germs heard, the seeds must not be covered with substrate. You just press them lightly and keep the substrate moist until germination.

Is the sedum plant hardy?

The sedum plant is frost hardy with us. According to its winter hardiness zone of 6 - 7, it withstands temperatures down to the double-digit minus range (-12 to -23 ° C) and therefore does not need winter protection.

Toxicity of the sedum plant

The sedum plant contains poisonous alkaloids and other substances such as flavonoids and glycosides, which, depending on their concentration, have a toxic effect.

Is the sedum plant poisonous for humans and animals?

Due to the mostly low concentration of toxic substances, the sedum plant is considered to be slightly toxic. However, it should be noted that the different Sedum-Differentiate between species in terms of their alkaloid content.

Can you eat the sedum plant?

Even if it is only considered to be slightly poisonous, the sedum plant should not be eaten.

If you are interested in other plants that thrive wonderfully in dry locations and do not need to be watered or hardly need to be watered, our special article will tell you about easy-care plants find it.