Sedum alexanderi

Scientific Name

Sedum alexanderi Eggli

Synonym(s)

Sedum platyphyllum

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Sedum

Description

Sedum alexanderi is a small succulent shrub with erect or trailing stems and light green or yellow leaves. The stems grow up to 32 inches (80 cm) long and up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) in diameter at the base. Leaves are up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) long and up to 2 inches (5 cm) wide. Flowers are white with red markings in the apical third, especially near the margins, up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) wide and appear in winter on a branched stem up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °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 that 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 normally enough to get the plant started there. They will send out roots from wherever the stem is touching the ground and root itself. If you would like to ensure that the plant will start there, you can add a very thin covering of soil.

You can break off one of the stems for taller varieties and push it into the ground where you would like to grow it. The stem will root very easily, and a new plant will be established in a season or two.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Sedum.

Origin

This species is native to Mexico.