Stonecrop (Sedum 'Soft Cloud')
Low-maintenance Sedum 'Soft Cloud' Stonecrop offers tight mounds of grey-green foliage and light pink blooms in late summer.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ is a celebrated herbaceous perennial, valued by gardeners for its neat, dome-shaped habit and exceptional toughness. This Stonecrop variety features attractive grey-green, pointed foliage that forms dense mounds, providing structure throughout the growing season before its late-summer floral display. Its low maintenance requirements make it a perfect solution for sunny, drier spots where many other perennials struggle.
Introduced in 2012, this cultivar offers reliable performance, slowly expanding to create a tight carpet of texture. The true magic arrives in August as light pink, star-shaped flowers emerge, eventually deepening to lovely red tones as temperatures cool into the fall and winter. The robust nature of Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ ensures it remains attractive and resilient.
As a succulent perennial, Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ thrives on neglect, demanding minimal fuss while delivering maximum visual impact in rock gardens, borders, or as a fine ground cover. Its drought tolerance and ability to handle tough soils cement its status as an indispensable plant for xeriscaping and low-water landscapes.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Crassulaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 2-2.5 ft
- Bloom Time: August to September
- Bloom Description: Light pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ during the spring or fall in a location that guarantees full sun exposure for the best density and flower production. This variety requires excellent soil drainage to prevent issues; amending heavy clay or average soils with grit or gravel is highly recommended. While it tolerates average fertility, avoid planting it in overly rich soil, as this encourages weak, floppy growth unsuitable for this mounding Stonecrop.
Care for this plant is exceptionally simple. Once established, its drought tolerance means watering is rarely necessary except during prolonged, extreme dry spells. Fertilizing is usually unnecessary; rich soil is detrimental, leading to flopping rather than compact growth.
Maintenance for Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ is generally low. Pruning is mostly stylistic; pinching stems gently in the spring can help encourage a bushier form. Deadheading is optional, as the spent flower heads often persist, adding winter interest. Ensure good air circulation around the plants, as soggy or rich conditions increase susceptibility to rot.
Landscape Uses
Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ excels when utilized as a front-of-border planting or integrated into rock gardens where its mounding texture contrasts beautifully with sharper architectural plants. Its suitability as a ground cover means it can effectively naturalize gentle slopes, suppressing weeds while providing consistent seasonal color for small areas.
Consider massing this Stonecrop for a powerful visual effect, allowing the tight mounds to flow together, unifying drier sections of the garden. Because the foliage and flowers are appreciated throughout the season, site Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ where it can be easily viewed, such as along pathways. It also performs admirably when used as a spiller or filler in mixed containers alongside other sun-loving, drought-tolerant species.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Sedum is a genus of about 400 species found mainly in the mountainous areas of North America but some also in dry area of South America. Most are succulent, making them inherently tough, drought-tolerant perennials featuring low-growing habits and clusters of star-shaped flowers. The cultivar ‘Soft Cloud’ was specifically bred to form tight, dome-shaped mounds of grey-green foliage, culminating in late summer blooms whose color deepens into red with the approach of cool weather.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Clay Soil
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
Potential problems are generally related to cultural conditions rather than pests. Slugs and snails may occasionally target the foliage when surrounding conditions are too moist. Scale insects are a minor possibility. The most significant threat to Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ is rot, which occurs if plants are sited in wet or poorly drained locations; excellent drainage is paramount for success. Taller sedum types are prone to flopping, often avoided by ensuring full sun exposure and preventing overly rich or moist soil conditions. Pinching young stems in spring is an excellent proactive measure to encourage a thicker, more compact habit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Stonecrop suitable for?
Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ is highly versatile and suitable for long-term perennial growth in USDA Zones 3 through 9.
How large does Stonecrop ‘Soft Cloud’ grow?
This variety typically reaches a mature height between 1 and 1.5 feet, spreading out to cover an area 2 to 2.5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ need?
This Stonecrop absolutely requires full sun to maintain its tight, dome-shaped growth habit and maximize its flowering potential.
When does Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ bloom?
The bloom time for Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ is relatively late, spanning from August into September, offering light pink, star-shaped flowers.
Conclusion
For gardeners seeking reliable texture, robust drought tolerance, and late-season color with minimal input, Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ is an outstanding choice. This low-maintenance Stonecrop offers tight mounds and flowers that persist into colder months, adding significant value to any sunny border. Before planting, confirm your garden location receives full sun and possesses soil that drains exceedingly well to ensure this resilient perennial performs to its fullest potential.
Companion Planting
This drought-tolerant Stonecrop thrives alongside other sun-loving, low-water plants. Pair Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ with ornamental grasses like Panicum virgatum cultivars, whose airy texture contrasts nicely with the dense mounds. Excellent partners include other tough perennials such as Achillea (Yarrow) or low-growing Nepeta (Catmint), which offer contrasting flower shapes and colors while sharing similar needs for sun and sharp drainage.
Propagation Tips
Propagation of Sedum ‘Soft Cloud’ is reliably easy, making it simple to multiply your planting areas or share with friends. The most straightforward method is stem or leaf cutting, which can be taken anytime during the active growing season. Simply snip healthy stems and allow the cut ends to dry and callous over for a day or two before planting them directly into dry potting mix or lean garden soil; roots typically form quickly without intervention.
