How to Grow Sedum and Sempervivum

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Sedum and Sempervivum

Sedum spp. and Sempervivum spp.

flower

Sedums and sempervivums are succulent plants prized for their fleshy leaves, low maintenance requirements, and attractive foliage in shades of green, red, purple, and blue. Both are drought-tolerant perennials that thrive in harsh conditions and produce star-shaped flowers, with sedums offering greater variety in size and growth habit while sempervivums are known for their tight rosette formations.

Looking for a specific variety?

Autumn Joy Autumn Fire Tricolor Dragon's Blood Sunsparkler Jade

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Example Sedum and Sempervivum timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Sedum and Sempervivum
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Sedum and Sempervivum blooms
Around Apr 21

≈ 4 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sedum and Sempervivum dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; partial shade tolerated in hot climates

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Water: Minimal; water deeply but infrequently. Allow soil to dry completely between waterings. During growing season (spring-summer) water every 2-3 weeks; reduce to monthly or less in winter dormancy. Overwatering is the primary cause of failure.

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Spacing: 6-12 inches depending on mature size of variety inches

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Days to maturity: Most are perennial; foliage develops in 4-8 weeks, flowering in 8-12 weeks during growing season

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Planting depth: Plant at soil surface; do not bury foliage. Press lightly into soil to ensure contact.

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy or gravelly soil, gritty potting mix for containers

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Perlite or pumice Coarse sand Gravel or small stones Minimal organic matter

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Most varieties thrive in zones 3-9, with some tender species limited to zones 9-11

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

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Growth Stages

Establishment

2-4 weeks

Young rosettes or shoots establishing root systems; foliage compact and turgid

Water sparingly after planting. Avoid fertilizing. Protect from extreme heat and cold until established (2-4 weeks).

Vegetative Growth

4-12 weeks

Leaves expand and rosettes enlarge; plant fills out its mature form

Water only when soil is completely dry. No fertilizer needed; feed lightly only if growth is stunted. Ensure excellent drainage.

Flowering Preparation

2-6 weeks

Some sedums develop flower buds at stem tips; sempervivums concentrate energy into the flowering rosette

Maintain dry conditions; continued watering may cause bud drop. Some sedums produce offsets (baby plants) during this phase.

Flowering

4-8 weeks

Star-shaped flowers appear in clusters (sedums) or dense inflorescences (sempervivums), typically in pink, red, yellow, or white

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage extended blooming, or leave for seed production and wildlife food. Continue minimal watering.

Post-Bloom & Dormancy

Variable; winter dormancy 3-4 months in cold zones

After flowering, sempervivums die back (monocarpic); sedums may persist. Winter dormancy with minimal or no visible growth

Reduce watering significantly. Remove dead sempervivum rosettes after flowering. Sedums may survive winter as dried foliage; leave for structure and insulation.

Companion Planting

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Plant with:

Other sedums and sempervivums Echeveria Aeonium Aloe Ornamental grasses Lavender Catmint Creeping thyme

Avoid planting near:

Water-loving plants (ferns, hostas, astilbes) High-fertility annuals requiring frequent watering Plants that prefer consistently moist soil

Common Pests

Isolate affected plants; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove by hand with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab
and (Pythium, Phytophthora spp.)
Prevention through well-draining soil and minimal watering is essential; remove affected plants; improve air circulation; do not overwater
and
Hand-pick; use copper barriers; apply diatomaceous earth; set beer traps in containers
Increase humidity slightly; spray with water; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe
Scrape off manually; spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; isolate infected plants

Uses

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Edible succulents

Culinary

Several sedum species such as Sedum reflexum (Jenny's sedum) and Sedum acre (goldmoss stonecrop) have edible leaves and shoots with a mild, slightly tangy flavor. They can be added fresh to salads or used as microgreens. [source]

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Green roofing and xeriscaping

Household

Sedums and sempervivums are ideal for green roofs, living walls, rock gardens, and xeriscape designs due to their extreme drought tolerance, shallow root systems, and ability to thrive in poor soil with minimal maintenance. [source]

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Traditional herbal remedy

Medicinal

Sedum species have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and European herbalism for skin health and wound healing. Some varieties contain compounds with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]

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Floral arrangements and dried flowers

Craft

The long-lasting flowers and structural foliage of sedums and sempervivums are excellent for fresh and dried flower arrangements, providing color, texture, and lasting appeal with minimal water requirements. [source]

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Pollinator support

Wildlife

Sedum and sempervivum flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, providing a late-season nectar source when many other plants have finished blooming. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Sedums and sempervivums are ornamental plants, not typically harvested for consumption. However, offsets can be propagated year-round by gently removing rosettes, allowing cuts to callus for 2-3 days, then placing on dry soil. Flower heads can be cut for arrangements when fully open; they dry well. Some edible sedum varieties (e.g., Sedum reflexum, Sedum acre) can be harvested for culinary use by pinching young leaves and stems.

Fun Facts

🌱 Sempervivums are called 'hens and chicks' because the main rosette (hen) produces multiple offsets (chicks) around its base; most sempervivums are monocarpic, meaning the flowering rosette dies after blooming but produces abundant offsets for renewal.
🌱 Sedums can store water in their leaves so efficiently that they can survive weeks without any watering and can recover from wilting that would kill most plants.
🌱 Some sedums are so cold-hardy that they thrive in alpine environments above 10,000 feet elevation, where they are among the few succulents capable of surviving extreme mountain winters.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Partial Shade Perennial pH

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