Scientific Name
Hylotelephium erythrostictum (Miq.) H. Ohba
Common Name(s)
Garden Orpine, Garden Stonecrop
Synonym(s)
Sedum alboroseum, Sedum erythrostictum, Sedum erythrostictum f. variegatum, Sedum erythrostictum var. variegatum, Sedum labordei, Sedum okuyamae, Sedum telephium subsp. alboroseum
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Telephieae
Genus: Hylotelephium
Origin
This species is native to China, Japan, Korea, and Russia.
Description
Hylotelephium erythrostictum, formerly known as Sedum erythrostictum, is a succulent plant that produces a cluster of upright, unbranched stems with pale green leaves. The stems are up to 3.3 feet (1 m) tall and up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter and grow from tuberous roots. Leaves are elliptic with serrated edges, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and 1.6 inches (4 cm) wide. Flowers are white or pale pink with purplish-red anthers, star-shaped, up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) across, and appear in clusters from summer to fall.
Etymology
The specific epithet "erythrostictum" means "spotted red" and derives from the Latin words "erythros," meaning "red," and "stictos," meaning "spotted."
How to Grow and Care for Hylotelephium erythrostictum
Light: This succulent prefers full sun. It tolerates light to partial shade in hot summer climates but will produce weak, floppy growth when grown in too much shade. Plant your H. erythrostictum in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Soil: H. erythrostictum does not need rich soil, but it does need excellent drainage. Choose a commercial potting mix for succulents, or make one yourself.
Hardiness: This plant is tolerant of heat and drought and is cold-hardy, making it a popular outdoor succulent. H. erythrostictum can withstand temperatures as low as -40 to 30 °F (-40 to -1.1 °C), USDA hardiness zones 3a to 9b.
Watering: The best way to water H. erythrostictum is to use the "soak and dry" method. Get the soil completely wet, and then wait until it is dry before watering again.
Fertilizing: Feed annually with a balanced fertilizer. According to the package directions, apply the fertilizer to the soil in spring as new growth appears.
Repotting: Plants in containers require little more care than those in gardens. Repot your H. erythrostictum when it outgrows its current pot by moving it out to a larger pot to hold the plant better. Spring is the best time to repot this plant. Make sure the soil is dry before you begin the repotting process.
Propagation: This succulent can be grown from seeds, division, or stem cuttings. Sow seeds in spring. Dividing your H. erythrostictum is very easy and can be carried out at almost any time in the growing season, though it is probably best done in spring or early summer. Propagate by stem cuttings in summer.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Hylotelephium.
Toxicity of Hylotelephium erythrostictum
H. erythrostictum can be mildly toxic to humans and animals.
Cultivars of Hylotelephium erythrostictum
Links
- Back to genus Hylotelephium
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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