Scientific Name
Petrosedum forsterianum (Sm.) V. Grulich
Common Name(s)
Forster's Stonecrop, Rock Stonecrop
Synonyms
Petrosedum rupestre var. forsterianum, Sedum forsteranum, Sedum rupestre subsp. forsterianum,
Petrosedum rupestre subsp. elegans, Sedum aureum, Sedum collinum, Sedum elegans, Sedum elegans subsp. aureum, Sedum forsteranum subsp. elegans, Sedum forsterianum, Sedum forsterianum subsp. elegans, Sedum forsterianum subsp. forsterianum, Sedum forsterianum var. lejeunii, Sedum guadarramicum, Sedum juranum, Sedum lejeunianum, Sedum pruinatum subsp. forsterianum, Sedum pruinatum var. virescens, Sedum reflexum subsp. aureum, Sedum reflexum subsp. elegans, Sedum reflexum var. aureum, Sedum rupestre subsp. elegans, Sedum rupestre var. aureum, Sedum rupestre var. forsterianum, Sedum rupestre var. majus, Sedum sexangulare subsp. forsterianum, Sedum trevericum, Sedum trevirense
Scientific Classification
Family:Â Crassulaceae
Subfamily:Â Sedoideae
Tribe:Â Sedeae
Subtribe:Â Sedinae
Genus:Â Petrosedum
Origin
This species is native to western Europe and Morocco. It grows from sea level up to 4,920 feet (1,500 m).
Description
Petrosedum forsterianum, formerly known as Sedum forsterianum, is a succulent plant with branches that trail along the ground and linear, more or less flattened leaves arranged into terminal loose cone-like rosettes. The branches grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) long. Leaves are green or glaucous, elliptic in cross-section, and up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) long. The dead leaves persist on the branches. Flowers are star-shaped, usually 5- to 7-merous, and appear in clusters on terminal erect, up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall inflorescences in summer.
P. forsterianum is often mistaken for Petrosedum rupestre, a similar but more robust species found in identical habitats and differing in having no dead leaves below the terminal rosettes.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 4a to 9b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 30 °F (−1.1 °C).
How to Grow and Care
When growing Sedums, keep in mind that these plants need very little attention or care. They will thrive in conditions many other plants thrive in but do just as well in less hospitable areas. They are ideal for that part of your yard that gets too much sun or too little water to grow anything else. A common name for Sedum is Stonecrop because many gardeners joke that only stones need less care and live longer.
Sedum is easily planted. For shorter varieties, simply laying the plant on the ground where you want it to grow is usually enough to get the plant started there. They will send out roots from wherever the stem touches the ground and root itself. If you would like to ensure further that the plant will start there, you can add a very thin covering of soil over the plant.
You can break off one of the stems for taller varieties and push it into the ground where you want to grow it. The stem will root very easily, and a new plant will be established in a season or two.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Sedum.
Links
- Back to genus Petrosedum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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