4 named cultivars

cactus succulent

Stonecrop

The Story

Plant Bio

Phedimus spurius, two-row stonecrop and long known as Sedum spurium, is a mat-forming succulent groundcover from northeastern Turkey and northern Iran. Fleshy rounded leaves in two neat rows along trailing stems make a dense carpet two to six inches high and two to three feet across, topped by star-shaped pink or white flowers in summer.

It is still sold almost everywhere as Sedum spurium, so search under that name too. Unusually among stonecrops it takes partial shade as well as sun, which makes it useful on shaded dry banks where little else knits together. The very young shoots are edible, but older growth causes stomach upset, so treat it as ornamental.

Uses & Benefits:

A dense evergreen-ish carpet of fleshy leaves, often bronze or red-tinted, with pink summer flowers.

Covers dry, poor, difficult ground with almost no water, and roots itself from broken pieces.

Bees and butterflies work the flowers, and songbirds take the seed.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Cactus Succulent

Height

4 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Northeastern Turkey to northern Iran

Toxicity

Older growth causes stomach upset

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in sun or partial shade in sharply drained soil.
Space plants a foot apart to knit into a mat.
Water while establishing, then leave it alone.
Avoid feeding; lean soil keeps growth tight.
Pull out any patch that dies back in the centre.
Replant detached pieces, which root where they lie.

Pro Tip

Broken-off pieces root wherever they land, so a bare patch is filled by pressing a handful of stems onto the soil.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it sharp drainage 🌵
Use it on dry banks and wall tops 🧱
Press broken pieces in to fill gaps 🌱
Let it dry out between waterings ☀️

Don't

Plant it in heavy, wet ground ❌
Feed or mulch it richly ❌
Eat older growth ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant
Tidy

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Dry bank and slope groundcoverWall tops, rock gardens and gravelGreen roof and trough planting

Companion Plants

Creeping Thyme Hens And Chicks Dianthus SedumBlue Fescue

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Stonecrop questions

What zones can Stonecrop grow in?

Stonecrop is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Stonecrop deer resistant?

Yes — Stonecrop is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Stonecrop bloom?

Stonecrop typically blooms in summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Stonecrop need full sun?

Stonecrop does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Stonecrop drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Stonecrop handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.