Sedum caeruleum (Azure Stonecrop)

Scientific Name

Sedum caeruleum L.

Common Names

Azure Stonecrop, Blue Stonecrop, Sky Stone Crop, Baby-blue Stone Crop, Red Leaf, Barbary Stones

Synonyms

Anacampseros caerulescens, Oreosedum caeruleum, Sedum azureum, Sedum coeruleum, Sedum heptapetalum

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Sedum

Description

Sedum caeruleum is an annual succulent shrub, simple or much-branched from the base, erect and up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall. Leaves are green, narrowly oblong, usually tinted red, and up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. It produces cymes of pale blue or white (rarely pinkish) star-shaped flowers in summer.

Sedum caeruleum - Azure Stonecrop — *Photo via actaplantarum.org*

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 8a to 10b: from 10 °F (−12.2 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °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 will 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. Sedum's common name 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 is touching 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 would like 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.