The variety of this sedum that is usually grown is the hardy, long-lived ‘Medio-variegatum.’ It has slender stems, which begin to grow upright but soon arch over. They trail to about 10in/25cm, making this a good plant for a hanging basket.
The fleshy round leaves, with lightly scalloped edges, are carried in whorls of three; they are steely blue-gray tinged with pink and have a cream central splash or stripe. Heads of small pink flowers are borne at the ends of the stems in late summer or early fall.
Stonecrop Fact File
Origin: Japan.
Height: 4in/10cm; stems trail to 10in/25cm.
Potting Mix: Soil- or peat-moss-based, with added perlite or coarse sand for good drainage.
Repotting: Move to a pot one size larger in spring.
Propagation: Take stem tip cuttings in spring or summer. Remove the leaves to expose about lin/2.5cm of the stem and allow it to dry for 1-2 days before inserting it into soil.
Keeping Plants: Watch out for mealybugs and aphids, which both attack this plant.
Stonecrop Plant Care
- Bright light with plenty of direct sunshine.
- Cool to moderate temperatures: 40°-60°F/ 4°-16°C.
- In summer allow the top J/in/ 13mm of the soil to dry out between waterings; water more sparingly in winter.
- It is not necessary to feed this plant.
