Scientific Name
Sedum nevii A. Gray
Synonym(s)
Sedum beyrichianum, Sedum nevii var. beyrichianum
Common Name(s)
Nevius' Stonecrop
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Sedum
Etymology
The specific epithet "nevii (ne-VEN-e-i)" honors Reuben Nevius (1827-1913), an American botanist, clergyman, missionary, and educator.
Origin
Sedum nevii is native to the southeastern United States. It occurs in disjunct populations in the southern Appalachian Highlands, growing in partial shade on mats of mosses and lichens.
Description
Sedum nevii is a succulent plant that forms tufts of slender, decumbent, branched stems that bear thick, fleshy, alternately arranged leaves and end in a terminal rosette. The leaves are green or grayish green, papillose marginally, spoon-shaped with a rounded apex and a short petiole, 0.45 inches (1.1 cm) long, and about 0.12 inches (0.3 cm) wide. Flowers are white, star-shaped, 4-merous, about 0.4 inches (1 cm) across, and appear in clusters with three branches on simple, erect or pendent, up to 2.4 inches (8.5 cm) long stalks in summer.
How to Grow and Care for Sedum nevii
Light: This succulent grows best in locations where it will enjoy the full sun for at least six hours per day. It will tolerate partial shade but will not thrive in deep shade. Keep your indoor plant in a sunny window or under artificial lights.
Soil: S. nevii does not like to sit in waterlogged soil, so drainage is essential to prevent root rot. Choose a well-draining soil mix.
Temperature: This plant is tolerant of heat and freezing temperatures. S. nevii can withstand temperatures as low as -30 °F (-34.4 °C). USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4a to 9b, -30 to 30 °F (-34.4 to -1.1 °C).
Watering: From spring through fall, water thoroughly and wait for the soil to dry out before watering again. In winter, water your plant just enough to keep it from shriveling. Avoid wetting the leaves, stems, and flowers when watering.
Fertilizing: Feed with a balanced organic fertilizer in spring. Feeding is unnecessary as long as the plant is divided annually and provided with fresh soil.
Repotting: Repot your plant when it outgrows its current pot by moving it out to a larger container to hold the plant better. Spring is the best time to repot S. nevii. Make sure the soil is dry before you begin repotting.
Propagation: Once you have one S. nevii, it is easy to make more by taking stem cuttings and dividing the plant. It is also easy to grow from seed. Take cuttings in spring when the plant is in active growth. Once it has finished flowering, it is the right time for division. Spring or summer is the best time to sow the seeds.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Sedum.
Toxicity of Sedum nevii
S. nevii is not listed as toxic for people but can be mildly toxic to pets and children.
Links
- Back to genus Sedum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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