Scientific Name
Hylotelephium sieboldii (Sweet ex Hook.) H. Ohba
Common Name(s)
October Daphne, October Daphne Stonecrop, October Stonecrop, October Plant, Siebold's Stonecrop, October Daphne, October Daphne Stonecrop, October Plant, October Stonecrop, Showy Stonecrop, Siebold's Sedum, Siebold's Stonecrop, Stonecrop
Synonym(s)
Hylotelephium sieboldii var. sieboldii, Sedum sieboldii
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Telephieae
Genus: Hylotelephium
Origin
This species is native to Japan (Shodoshima, Shikoku).
Description
Hylotelephium sieboldii, formerly known as Sedum sieboldii, is a beautiful low-growing succulent that sends out unbranched stems from a short rootstock. The stems are ascending or hanging over the edges of the pot and grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) long. Leaves are blue-green, up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) in diameter, with a round tip and margins with few low undulating serrations. They grow in whorls of 3 around the stem. Flowers are bright-pink, star-shaped, and appear in fall in round clusters at the end of the stems. The foliage dies down in the winter, but new growth appears in spring.
Etymology
The specific epithet "sieboldii" honors the German botanist and plant collector Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796-1866).
How to Grow and Care for Hylotelephium sieboldii
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. sieboldii in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Soil: H. sieboldii 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. sieboldii 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. sieboldii 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. Apply the fertilizer to the soil in spring as new growth appears, according to package directions.
Repotting: Plants in containers require little more care than those in gardens. Repot your H. sieboldii 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. sieboldii 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 sieboldii
H. sieboldii can be mildly toxic to humans and animals.
Cultivars of Hylotelephium sieboldii
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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