How to Grow Stonecrop (Sedum)

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How to Grow Stonecrop (Sedum) - Provided by eHow
Stonecrop, or sedum, are flowers that come in different colors and are succulent. Identify stonecrop plants by their cactus-like blooms with help from a sustainable gardener in this free video on flower gardening and plant care. View Video Transcript

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Yolanda Vanveen

Video Transcript

Hi, this is Yolanda Vanveen, and in this section we're going to learn all about how to grow sedum, or stonecrop. Now, stonecrops come in many shapes and many sizes, but what they all have in common is that they're kind of succulent. Sedums come in many shapes and sizes, but what they have in common is that they're succulents. They all seem to have really soft, almost cactus-like blooms and flowers. And they're very easy to grow, and the word sedo actually comes from the Greek word means to sit down, so because they're such low growing plants they look like they're always sitting, and they make great ground covers. So, stonecrop, and there's many different varieties, depending on the variety they can handle a lot of cold temperatures down to zone three, all the way to zone ten or twelve. What they really like is a sunny spot. They will not grow if it's too shady. And they make a nice ground cover, and they'll multiply real readily. And you can start em' by seed in the spring, or you can start em' by division. And what's great is that they'll just have thousands of starts in one single area. So, all you need is a stem, and you don't even need a root cause' you can just plant it; although this one has a little bit of a root, even if you have part of a stem as long as you cover that stem with some soil it will grow. They're quite amazing. And they do want some water in the heat of the summer, and I've actually had some burn when they had too much heat, cause' they were up against the house. So, even in part shade if it's a really hot climate they do really well. And you gotta' water em' too. I have some around the eaves that I don't water hardly ever, and I've noticed that if you don't water em' a lot of times you'll lose some of em', but they're wonderful because even if you think you've lost em' you just water em. If any of the roots are under the ground they'll come right up again. And stonecrop or sedum can be grown in containers too, so they make great houseplants, as well as outside plants. And there are so many different varieties. You just can stick em' right in some dirt. They do great in gravel, but I always give em' some soil as well for some nutrition and somewhere for the roots to really get established, and then the roots will grow down into the gravel. There's so many different varieties, and chicks and hens, or hens and chicks are actually in the sedum family as well, and they're all considered stonecrop whatever variety they are, and they're a great addition. So, all sedums are considered stonecrop, so it doesn't matter what variety that you select. They'll all do really well, and they'll make a great ground cover. They're great in areas where nothing else will grow, under the eaves, or in gravel, or even in containers. They need very little care, and they'll give you so much in return. Some varieties, like the spectabile will have gorgeous pink flowers on em', and others will just make a nice matted cover that you can even step on, but either way they're a great addition to your garden.