Stonecrop—or *Sedum*, if you want to get fancy—was actually named the Perennial of the Year back in 2011, and it’s still one of my absolute favorite “set it and forget it” plants for the garden. These hardy succulents, along with their low-growing cousin, the wallpepper, are incredibly easy to grow. Their flower heads look like colorful little plates in shades of white, yellow, red, or pink, and they’ll keep your garden looking bright from late spring all the way into the fall.
Planting Your Stonecrop
Whether you’re planting the tall upright varieties or the low-growing groundcovers, these guys love a spot with full sun. A few varieties can handle partial shade, but sun is generally better. The most important thing to remember is that they need well-draining soil. Like most succulents, they store water in their fleshy leaves and hate having “wet feet,” so avoid spots where water tends to pool.
Spring is the best time to get them in the ground so they have plenty of time to establish their roots before winter hits. When planting, I always recommend adding some drainage material, like broken terracotta pieces or gravel, to the bottom of the hole to keep things airy. If you’re planting a group, give them some elbow room—the taller the variety, the more space it’ll need to spread out. They also do great in containers, just make sure your pot has a drainage hole!
Caring for Stonecrop
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant, you’ve found it. Since Stonecrop stores water in its leaves, you really only need to grab the watering can during those extra-long dry spells.
For feeding, a little bit of fresh compost in the fall is usually all they need to stay happy for the following year. If you feel like they need an extra boost, you can give them a little liquid fertilizer during the summer, but don’t overdo it.
Stonecrop is super winter-hardy, and here’s a pro tip: wait until spring to prune them back. Those dried-up flower heads and stems actually help protect the plant from frost during the winter (and they look pretty cool in the snow!). Just snip the old stems off right before the new growth starts peeking through in the spring.
Popular Varieties for Your Garden
There are about 400 species of Sedum out there, but here are a few of the best ones for home gardeners:
- Purple Emperor / Purple Stonecrop: Reaches about 24 inches tall with stunning deep red flowers.
- Showy Stonecrop (Sedum spectabile): Grows between 12 and 18 inches with lovely pink blooms.
- Goldmoss Stonecrop: A beautiful yellow “carpet” that stays low at about 6 inches.
- Goldmoss Stonecrop (Biting Stonecrop): Tiny but mighty, with yellow flowers and a height of only 2 to 4 inches.
- White Stonecrop: Features delicate white flowers and grows about 2 to 6 inches tall.
