Sedum is one of the easiest perennials to get established. Give it a sunny spot with soil that drains fast, plant it at the right depth and spacing, and it fills in on its own, whether you are starting from a nursery plant, a rooted cutting, or a piece of leaf.
TLDR
- Full sun and fast-draining soil matter more than anything else when planting sedum.
- Plant in spring; space groundcover types 6 to 12 inches apart depending on the variety.
- Sedum roots easily from stem cuttings or even a single leaf pressed into soil.
- Established clumps can be divided every few years to make new plants for free.
The Right Place
Some sedums are quite cold hardy. They thrive in areas as far north as the Canada border and northern New England (zone 3). They can handle winter temperatures as low as -30F. Other types of sedums are not quite so sturdy, so it is best to check their individual requirements.
Sedums prefer full sun, but will tolerate some light shade. They actually thrive in any dry, well-drained, poor, sandy soil. If plants fail to do well, the soil might be too rich. It may also be too wet. Soggy soil will turn them mushy and they will die. For more on spotting and fixing issues like this, see our guide to sedum problems.
Add gravel or sand to soil to assure good drainage. Plant sedums from the nursery in the spring. They grow so easily that leaves scattered on prepared soil will root quickly. Set transplants in a hole so that they are at the same depth they were in their former container. Firm the soil around and over the roots and water every day or so for the first week. Space Goldmoss plants 6 to 12 inches apart.
Showy sedums do well in containers. Their succulent leaves assures them moisture in the hot sun on patios and balconies. Be sure the soil is light and well draining. They are excellent in either tubs or standard clay pots. Best container size is 10 to 16 inches wide and 8 to 12 inches deep.
How to Propagate Sedum From Cuttings and Leaves
Sedum is one of the simplest perennials to propagate, and you do not need special equipment to do it. Snip a stem two to five inches long, let the cut end dry and callus for a day, then press it into moist, well-draining soil. Roots form within a couple of weeks. Sedum leaves root just as easily. Pull a healthy leaf from the stem, let the cut end dry for a day, and lay it on top of prepared soil rather than burying it. New roots and a tiny plant will grow from the base of the leaf. Either method works best in late spring or summer, and a full groundcover planting can take up to three growing seasons to fill in completely, so start more cuttings than you think you need.
New: When to Divide an Established Sedum Clump
Established sedum clumps benefit from division every three to four years. Divide in spring, just as new growth appears, or in early fall after the heat breaks. Dig up the whole clump, and use a spade or your hands to split the root ball into sections, each with its own roots and stems attached. Replant divisions immediately at the same depth they were growing before, and water them in well for the first week while new roots establish. Dividing keeps the center of the clump from thinning out and gives you free plants for another spot in the yard, or to share.
Once new sedum plants are in the ground, there is a lot you can do with them, from rock gardens to slopes and stone walls.
Sedum needs almost no attention once it is established, but the little care it does need is covered here.
Common questions about planting Sedum
How Far Apart Should You Space Sedum?
Space low, spreading types like Goldmoss 6 to 12 inches apart for a groundcover that fills in within a season or two. Upright, showy types like Autumn Joy need more room, 18 to 24 inches apart, since each clump grows wide as it matures.
Can You Grow Sedum From Seed?
Yes, but it is slower than starting from cuttings, leaves, or divisions. Sow sedum seed in early spring, press the seed into the soil surface rather than burying it since sedum seed needs light to germinate, and keep the soil lightly moist until seedlings appear.
Sedum Rewards a Well-Drained Site With Almost No Upkeep
Getting sedum established comes down to one thing more than any other: fast-draining soil in full sun. Whether you start with nursery plants, a handful of cuttings, or a divided clump from an existing patch, sedum roots quickly and asks for very little water once it settles in. Give it room to spread, whether that is 6 inches for a groundcover or nearly two feet for an upright border plant, and it will fill the space on its own within a couple of growing seasons.
