Stonecrop (sedum) Hylotelephium spectabile
Stonecrop (sedum) (Hylotelephium spectabile) is a deciduous perennial groundcover in the Crassulaceae family. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 45 cm (18 in) apart.
Plan Stonecrop (sedum) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Stonecrop (sedum) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 45 cm (18 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Stonecrop (sedum) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Showy stonecrop is generally regarded as safe, but toxicity varies among sedums.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Stonecrop (sedum)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Stonecrop (sedum) in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Riverside botanical garden (14 plants)
Questions about Stonecrop (sedum)
- How far apart should I plant Stonecrop (sedum)?
- About 45 cm (18 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Stonecrop (sedum) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Stonecrop (sedum) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Stonecrop (sedum)?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Stonecrop (sedum) flower?
- From about August for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Stonecrop (sedum) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Showy stonecrop is generally regarded as safe, but toxicity varies among sedums.
- What grows well with Stonecrop (sedum)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Stonecrop (sedum). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- General reference values; verify against local conditions.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Jade plant Crassula ovata
- Mexican snowball (echeveria) Echeveria elegans
- Common houseleek Sempervivum tectorum
- Roseroot Rhodiola rosea
- Ghost plant (mother-of-pearl plant) Graptopetalum paraguayense
- Moonstones (sugared almond plant) Pachyphytum oviferum
- Burro’s tail (donkey’s tail) Sedum morganianum
- Jelly bean plant (pork and beans) Sedum rubrotinctum