Sedum album 'Coral Carpet' is a low-growing, mat-forming succulent often used as a vibrant, drought-tolerant groundcover. It is valued for its seasonal color changes, with the foliage shifting from coral to bright green and finally to reddish-bronze in winter.
Taxonomy of Sedum album 'Coral Carpet'
Scientific Name
Sedum album 'Coral Carpet'
Common Name(s)
Coral Carpet Stonecrop, White Stonecrop
Synonym(s)
Sedum 'Coral Carpet'
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Sedum
Etymology
The generic name "Sedum" (pronounced "SEE-dum") means "sitting" or "low-growing" and refers to the low-growing habit of the plants of this genus, which appear to "sit" and spread over rocks, slopes, and ground surfaces.
The specific epithet "album" (pronounced "AL-bum") means "white" and refers to the color of the flowers.
Origin of Sedum album 'Coral Carpet'
Sedum album 'Coral Carpet' is a cultivar of Sedum album. The origin is unknown.
Description of Sedum album 'Coral Carpet'
Sedum album 'Coral Carpet' is a mat-forming succulent with creeping stems and numerous short branches bearing small, fleshy, bead-like leaves. The leaves can be linear or egg-shaped, measuring up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and 0.8 inches (2 cm) wide. The leaves emerge coral-colored, then turn bright green during the growing season and become reddish-bronze in winter.
In early summer, Sedum album 'Coral Carpet' produces small, star-shaped flowers with five white to pale pink petals, arranged in dense clusters on erect stalks bearing bracts similar to leaves. The flower stalks can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) long.
How to Grow and Care for Sedum album 'Coral Carpet'
Light: Sufficient light is most important for growing a healthy plant. Sedum album 'Coral Carpet' grows best in full sun for at least 6 hours daily, but can tolerate some shade. Place the plant near a sunny window or use artificial lights when growing indoors.
Soil: This plant does not like to sit in waterlogged soil, so drainage is essential to prevent root rot. Use a commercially available potting mix for succulents, or create your own.
Temperature: Sedum album 'Coral Carpet' has a good tolerance to heat and low temperatures. It grows best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3a to 8b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from -40 to 20 °F (-40 to -6.7 °C).
Watering: From spring through fall, water thoroughly and wait for the soil to dry out before watering again. During the winter, water the plant just enough to keep it from shriveling. When watering, avoid wetting the leaves, stems, and flowers.
Fertilizing: Feed a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength during the growing season. However, feeding is unnecessary if you provide the plant with fresh soil annually.
Repotting: When Sedum album 'Coral Carpet' outgrows its current pot, repot it into a larger pot in spring. Make sure the soil is dry before you begin repotting.
Propagation: Once you have one Sedum album 'Coral Carpet', it is easy to make more by taking leaves or stem cuttings and dividing the plant. It is also easy to start from seeds in spring or summer. Take cuttings in spring and divide the plant after it has finished flowering.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Sedum.
Toxicity of Sedum album 'Coral Carpet'
Sedum album 'Coral Carpet' is not considered toxic to humans, but it can be mildly toxic to pets and children.
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Internal Links
- Explore all plants within the genus Sedum.
- Explore all plants within the family Crassulaceae.