Caucasian stonecrop (Sedum spurium)
Low-maintenance Sedum spurium, Caucasian stonecrop, offers dense, mat-forming coverage with pink-red blooms from June to July.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Sedum spurium, commonly recognized as Caucasian stonecrop, is a highly valued, low-growing perennial celebrated for its excellent performance as a dense ground cover. This hardy plant forms a spreading, mat-like tapestry, effectively suppressing weeds in sunny, challenging locations where other groundcovers might fail. It offers textural interest throughout the growing season, with succulent leaves that often take on deep burgundy tones in cooler weather.
Native to the Caucasus region, Sedum spurium thrives with minimal intervention, making it perfect for gardeners seeking drought-tolerant, low-maintenance solutions. Its bright, star-shaped, pink-red flowers appear in early summer, drawing in beneficial pollinators like butterflies atop upright stems. The vigorous, creeping stems root easily wherever they touch the soil, rapidly covering bare areas.
Whether used to spill over rock walls or massed across slopes, Caucasian stonecrop provides reliable, evergreen coverage, particularly appreciated in xeriscaping and rock gardens. Its naturalizing tendency and tolerance for poor soils ensure that it remains a resilient backbone plant in many landscape designs.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Crassulaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Caucasus, Iran, Turkey
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.25-0.5 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Pink-red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Sedum spurium is best done in the spring or fall, ensuring high success when transplanted into well-drained soil. This plant excels in full sun but tolerates light shade, preferring slightly acidic conditions. It performs exceptionally well in sandy or gravelly soils and actively resists compacted or poor substrates, thriving where fast drainage is assured; good soil drainage is non-negotiable to prevent rot.
Care for Caucasian stonecrop is remarkably simple due to its drought tolerance. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings once established. Avoid excessive moisture, as overwatering is the most common cause of failure for this genus. Fertilization is generally unnecessary; applying rich compost can lead to excessive floppiness and reduce its characteristic mat-forming habit.
Propagation of Sedum spurium is effortless. Plants spread easily as their creeping, branching stems root spontaneously wherever nodes contact the ground. For deliberate extension, simply cut a 1-2 inch piece of stem with a leaf attached and plant it directly into the soil above the node; roots will form quickly. In warmer climates, this plant maintains its attractive foliage year-round.
Landscape Uses
The low-growing profile and tough constitution of Sedum spurium make it an ideal candidate for ground cover applications where its spreading habit can shine. Use it to blanket sunny banks or slopes where traditional turfgrass struggles due to dryness or poor soil structure. Planted 12 inches apart, the Caucasian stonecrop will quickly knit together to form a dense, walkable mat.
This stonecrop is excellent for softening hard edges, functioning beautifully along border fronts or as edging material. It is fantastic for filling stone wall pockets or creeping between paving stones, adding vibrant texture and color contrast against stone and gravel. For cohesive visual impact, mass this plant in large groups or drifts for dramatic, low-maintenance coverage.
While primarily a landscape staple, Sedum spurium also performs admirably in containers. Pairing it with taller, upright succulents or trailing plants creates dynamic mixed displays that benefit from the same dry, sunny conditions these stonecrops crave.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Sedum spurium, commonly called Caucasian stonecrop or two row stonecrop, is a low-growing, sprawling, mat-forming sedum that thrives as a ground cover. This evergreen native of the Caucasus spreads widely via creeping stems that root easily at the nodes, typically reaching only 3-6 inches tall but spreading to 18-24 inches wide. Its succulent leaves often turn a deep burgundy color in the fall, providing excellent winter interest before the plant produces sprays of tiny, star-shaped, pinkish-red flowers in mid-summer.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
This plant is remarkably resilient, generally presenting no serious insect or disease challenges under proper growing conditions. The major risk factor involves root rot caused by excessive moisture retention; ensure soil drainage is sharp. In damp conditions, slugs and snails may occasionally target the succulent foliage, requiring minimal mechanical removal or appropriate barriers. Occasionally monitor for scale insects, especially on older, crowded growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Caucasian stonecrop suitable for?
Sedum spurium is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9, making it highly adaptable across many temperate regions.
How large does Sedum spurium grow?
This ground cover typically reaches a short height of only 0.25 to 0.5 feet but spreads vigorously to a width between 1.5 and 2 feet.
What sun exposure does Sedum spurium need?
For the best performance and flower production, ensure your Caucasian stonecrop receives full sun, although it can tolerate small amounts of light shade.
When does Sedum spurium bloom?
This species blooms reliably through the early summer months, specifically from June into July, displaying vibrant pink-red flowers.
Conclusion
Sedum spurium offers unparalleled value as a vigorous, drought-tolerant ground cover with excellent textural and seasonal color. The widespread usage of Caucasian stonecrop in difficult, sunny spots confirms its status as a low-maintenance superstar. Always confirm your USDA hardiness zone suitability and plant in sharp, well-draining soil to guarantee years of successful, sprawling coverage.
Propagation Tips
Propagating this Sedum spurium is incredibly straightforward, relying on its natural tendency to root along its spreading stems. The easiest method involves taking cuttings; simply sever a 1-2 inch segment of stem that includes a leaf, ensuring the base of the cutting is healthy. Plant the cut end directly into your growing medium, positioning the leaf nodes just above the soil line, and maintain slight moisture until roots develop.
Because the stems readily form roots wherever they lie flat against the ground, surface mulching can sometimes encourage this natural rooting process. Alternatively, established clumps of Caucasian stonecrop can be divided cleanly in spring or early fall, making it simple to expand your coverage area quickly across sunny banks or rockeries.
Wildlife Benefits
Although Sedum spurium is generally grown for architectural ground coverage, its flowers offer tangible benefits to local insect populations during the early summer. The dense clusters of small, star-shaped blooms provide a reliable source of nectar and pollen when many other early bloomers may be finishing their cycle.
The pink-red flowers are reported to be attractive to butterflies, providing a crucial mid-season nectar source for these pollinators. Integrating this stonecrop near vegetable gardens or mixed perennial borders helps support local biodiversity while simultaneously acting as an effective weed barrier.
