Sedum - varieties and types, indoor plant care at home

Flowers

Sedum is a close relative of the money plant. It is a member of the large Crassulaceae family. The genus Sedum comprises over 500 species, which range from subshrubs to herbaceous plants and succulents. Among the species are annuals, biennials, and perennials. Sedum grows naturally in the temperate climates of North America, Asia, and Europe.

Sedums are the most commonly grown succulents in gardening. Most sedums can be planted as hanging basket flowers, as in the wild they grow gracefully on rocks and cliffs. Sedums are a fairly common plant that requires little care, but it's easy for a novice gardener to become confused by the numerous species and varieties available. Therefore, it's important to carefully study their descriptions and photos to help you make the right choice.

Description of the plant and history of cultivation

Sedum has always attracted people with its interesting appearance. Its matte leaves are quite juicy and creaky, giving rise to common names such as hare's cabbage and squeaker. In ancient times, the most common sedum was the one with red flowers. The naturalists Pliny and Dioscorides described sedum as a remedy for wound healing, skin conditions, and even bone fractures. Traditional medicine still uses preparations based on the plant to heal a variety of wounds, including severe burns.

Most gardeners prefer to grow sedum as a trailing plant, as its stems spread gracefully along the ground. The flowers can reach 2 meters in length. The petiolate foliage is rounded, slightly oblong, with pointed edges, resembling droplets of water. Species with spherical and flat leaves are also known. Flowering begins in May and lasts until October. Flowers come in lilac, yellow, purple, white, or pink.

In gardening, species distinguished by their cold tolerance are cultivated. There are many more varieties of indoor sedum, so everyone can choose the most suitable sedum for their needs.

Groundcover (creeping) species and varieties of sedum with photos

Groundcover species are perfect for any style of garden. They are planted alongside perennials, herbaceous flowers, and compact shrubs with similar growing conditions. Sedums can be planted in small pots or even dedicated to a full lawn, the only drawback being that the ground is completely covered and unwalkable.

Anacampseros (Sedum anacampseros)

The creeping shoots root easily. The flower has glaucous leaves with a bluish tint and pink inflorescences. The petals turn purple at the end of flowering.

The height of a single peduncle varies between 15-20 cm, and the diameter of the compact flower is 0.7 cm. The flowering period lasts from July to August.

White (Sedum album)

This evergreen plant is distinguished by its small size. Its creeping stems reach no more than 7 cm in height. Its fleshy, linear-oval leaves reach 1 cm in length. During the active growth period, the foliage is green, but by early autumn, it turns a reddish hue.

Small white flowers have a pleasant fragrance. They are collected in umbel-shaped inflorescences that can reach 10 cm. This variety blooms in early to mid-summer.

Pale yellow (Sedum ochroleucum)

Sedum's greenish-white or cream-colored inflorescences have glandular pubescence on the sepals. This species grows rather slowly. The foliage is glaucous or brownish.

Glaucous varieties are the most commonly grown. They are planted in sunny spots or hillsides. Pale yellow sedum is characterized by excellent frost resistance.

Cornflower (Sedum cyaneum)

Cornflower sedum forms stems up to 10 cm tall. The foliage is glaucous-blue, its surface covered with reddish dots.

In August and September, the plant produces small pink-purple flowers. A distinctive feature of this species is its good frost resistance. Popular varieties include Rose Carpet and Rosenteppich.

Sedum dasyphyllum

The dense-leaved sedum forms a broad, dense ground cover. Green leaves are densely arranged on creeping stems. In late summer, light yellow flowers bloom on peduncles up to 25 cm long.

After flowering, the plant produces brown fruits, whose decorative qualities are often used in flower arrangements. Common varieties include Lloyd Praeger, Opaline, and Lilac Mound.

Sedum acre

This variety has a short root system with fairly thick roots. Plants are densely foliated for up to a year, and flowering is absent. In the second year, the number and size of foliage decreases significantly, and numerous golden flowers form on erect stems. Depending on the growing climate, flowering continues throughout the summer.

Siebold's (Sedum sieboldii)

Sedum sieboldiana is distinguished by green leaves with a pink tint. Slender, reddish stems reach 10 cm. The foliage can be gray-blue or green with a blue tint. Some varieties have a red tint along the leaf edges. Dense inflorescences are purple or pink. The most commonly grown varieties are Dragon and Mediovariegatum.

Kamchatka (Sedum kamtschatikum)

This herbaceous perennial is characterized by its small size and highly branched woody roots. Its dense shoots are usually no more than twenty centimeters long. The firm, toothed foliage is flattened. Flowering peaks in June. The plant produces numerous small yellow flowers that bloom for 30 days. Popular varieties include Tekari Dyke and Variegatum.

Sedum rubrotinctum

This low-growing perennial has creeping stems that rise slightly above the ground over time. The rounded foliage is dark green. The tips of the leaves acquire a reddish tint as they mature. The plant blooms with bright red flowers.

False (Sedum spurium)

The creeping and slightly ascending shoots of sedum can reach 25 cm in length. The thickened foliage is ovoid-wedge-shaped. The foliage is dark green, and the leaves are no more than 2 cm long. The flowering period lasts from July to August. The inflorescences, 10 cm in diameter, have a purple-pink hue. The most common varieties are Album, Elizabeth, and Tricolor.

Spatulate-leaved (Sedum spathulifolium, Sedum pruniosum)

The flower forms dense mats about ten centimeters tall. The green foliage has a silvery sheen with a bluish tint. When exposed to sunlight, the foliage often takes on a pink tint. Yellow flowers bloom in May and June. The most popular varieties are Harvest Moon and Aureum.

Morgana (Sedum morganianum)

The densely foliated stems of this flower can grow to about 1 m in length. The fleshy leaf blades are rounded to oblong with slightly pointed tips. The racemose or corymbose inflorescences are colored in shades of red and pink. Indoors, flowering occurs in late winter.

Sedum divergens

The low-growing plant features green foliage that often turns red when exposed to sunlight. Yellow flowers grow on stalks no larger than 0.1 m. The plant is known for its tolerance of soil conditions.

Forster's (Sedum forsterianum)

Sedum forsteriana is a fast-growing plant. Its densely leafy stems reach no more than 0.1 m in height. Yellow flowers form on tall peduncles. The foliage is green, glaucous, or purple. It is grown both in the garden and in pots. Commonly grown varieties include 'Elegance,' 'Purpureum,' and 'Oracle.'

Evers (Sedum ewersii)

This low-growing perennial has woody stems and rounded, glaucous leaves. It blooms in July and August. The corymbose inflorescences are pink. This variety grows well both in the garden and indoors.

Shrub (tall) species and varieties of sedum with photos

Tall sedums are particularly popular in gardening, as they are very tolerant of soil conditions and require little attention. Unlike groundcover varieties, shrubby plants require more frequent watering.

Prominent (Sedum spectabile)

The bush grows to a height of 30-70 cm. The green foliage can be blue or glaucous. The inflorescences can be crimson, white, pink, or purple. Flowering occurs in late summer. Popular varieties among gardeners include Iceberg, Carmen, Brilliant, and Neon.

Sedum aizoon

The hardy sedum is distinguished by its strong, upright stems, which can grow no more than forty-five centimeters tall. The oblong, diamond-shaped foliage is finely serrated along the edges. The flowers are yellow. Sedum Aurantium is most commonly grown.

Red-spotted (Sedum eruthrostictum)

Among the many varieties, gardeners highlight Frosty Morn and Mediovariegatum. The glaucous-green bushes reach 0.6 m. In September, pale pink or white flowers appear at the top of the bush, sometimes with deep pink pistils.

Middendorf (Sedum middendorfianum)

The plant forms a spreading shrub, no more than 0.3 m tall. Numerous yellow flowers grow on densely leafy stems. The narrow foliage is tinged with green.

Common (Sedum telephium)

This species is characterized by a rather impressive bush height (0.8 m) and crimson or pink inflorescences. The foliage can be green, crimson, pink, glaucous, or brown. The plant blooms in midsummer and continues until autumn. Popular varieties include Red Globe, Bon-Bon, and Jennifer.

Thick-leaved (Sedum pachyphyllum)

Sedum crassifolia is a subshrub whose stems grow up to 0.3 m in length. The thick, cylindrical leaves have reddish tips, giving the plant a particularly decorative appearance. The inflorescences are composed of yellow or greenish-yellow flowers.

Caring for indoor sedum at home

Like most succulents, sedum is easy to grow. It's quite resilient, so it can thrive even in conditions that no other plant would tolerate. Pinching helps give the plant a decorative appearance. This helps control growth and promotes a dense crown. Green stems are pruned from variegated, multicolored plants to ensure the plant retains its distinctive characteristics.

Lighting and temperature

Sedums are grown as ornamental foliage plants, so a well-lit location is recommended. During midday heat, the bushes are shaded from direct sunlight.

Please note!

The plant requires 10 hours of daylight, so consider using a grow light during cold weather. Garden varieties are planted in an area where they receive direct sunlight in the morning and evening.

During the active growth period, the most comfortable air temperature is 24-27°C; in winter, it is lowered to 8-10°C. Outdoor plants require additional insulation before the onset of frost.

Watering and fertilizing

Sedum doesn't require much watering, as it stores a significant amount of moisture in its leaves and shoots. Watering is determined when the top few centimeters of the substrate are completely dry. In winter, water only once a month, and in high humidity, avoid watering altogether. Misting is not recommended; you can just periodically wipe the leaves to remove dust.

Fertilize the plant from the beginning of spring until mid-autumn. Fertilization should be done no more than once or twice every 30 days. A succulent fertilizer can be used for this purpose.

Diseases, pests and methods of control

Sedum is fairly disease-resistant, but its immunity weakens if not properly cared for. Excessive soil moisture can cause stem rot at the base, so watering should be moderate. When the plant sheds its leaves, reduce the air temperature, as excessively hot conditions can damage the plant. Wrinkled and yellow leaves indicate insufficient watering.

Pests are rarely of interest to this plant. Mealybugs, aphids, and fungal microorganisms can infest the aboveground parts. These insects can be controlled with insecticides, such as Actellic, or a soap solution.

Propagation and transplantation

Sedum can be propagated in three ways: by seeds, cuttings, and division. The first method is not used indoors. Seeds are used only for breeding purposes.

Growing sedum from a cutting is very simple. Cut the apical stem from a mature mother plant and root it in a soil mixture of sand and peat. Gardeners also root the plants in a container of water. Only mature, well-developed plants are suitable for division. A shoot (including the root) is separated from the plant and replanted in a separate container. These shoots thrive and can bloom as early as the year of planting.

Important!

Sedums up to 5 years of age require annual repotting.

For mature plants, this procedure is performed no more than once every three years. The most suitable method of repotting is by transshipment, as the plant's roots are very delicate. Sedums are planted in neutral soil. Gardeners recommend creating your own soil mix using the following ingredients:

two parts of leaf and sod soil;
one part sand and one part peat;
half a part of charcoal.

Crushed stone, expanded clay or brick chips are used as drainage material.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I repot my indoor sedum?

If the plant is under five years old, repot it every spring. With adequate fertilizing, mature plants should have their substrate changed every three to four years.

Why do leaves dry out?

Leaf blades often dry out due to a lack of moisture. The plant may also respond to drought by wrinkling its leaves. This can be easily remedied: water the plant and then prevent the soil from drying out completely. After watering, the vigorous plant will quickly regain its foliage.

Which species are suitable for indoor growing?

Popular varieties for indoor gardening include Morgana, Thick-leaved, Krasneyaschiy, Weinberg, Siebold, and Prevysoky. These plants can also be grown outdoors in hanging baskets and pots, and some varieties can survive mild winters with proper protection.

Is this plant poisonous?

Sedum is considered a poisonous plant, as the Morganian sedum contains toxic substances. When ingested, these substances cause weakness, vomiting, and digestive upset. Sedum is often used to make medicinal infusions, but this is not recommended.

Easy-to-grow sedum, grown in a garden or indoors, requires very little attention from the gardener. Trailing varieties create beautiful living carpets, among which other plants with similar growing requirements can be planted.