Sedum palmeri 'Guatemalan Mini'

Scientific Name

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Sedum palmeri 'Guatemalan Mini' is a small succulent shrub with light green leaves with gently serrated margins. It is much smaller than Sedum palmeri. Leaves are narrowly spatulate and 0.8 inches (2 cm) long. The inflorescences are very abundant and come to bloom almost simultaneously with those of S. palmeri.

Flowers are yellow, up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter, and appear in spring.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

Sedum palmeri 'Guatemalan Mini' — *Photo by Wayne Fagerlund*

How to Grow and Care

Once established, Palmer's Sedum is a very easy to care plant. Like all succulents, it demands porous soil and rapid drainage. Grow in rock gardens, mounds, small slopes, natural cliff faces, and at the top edge of retaining walls and curbs. This is a great plant for a soil pocket on a wall, as a container specimen, or in a hanging basket.

Palmer's Sedum is noted as being one of the most shade-tolerant of Sedums, but if grown in bright light, the green leaves blush with pink. Water during the growing season only if the soil dries out completely. It is hardy to 20 °F (-7 °C), and some say it can handle temperatures closer to 0°F (-17.8°C).

Irrigate more or repot when plants drop lower leaves. You can prune back any errant runners, usually just by breaking them off. In spring, you can also cut back to keep the growth habit a little more compact.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Sedum.

Origin

This cultivar was named and described by Ray Stephenson in the Sedum Society Newsletter 90 (2009). It is originally from Guatemala, but its exact origin remains a mystery. It was said to have been bought in a Guatemalan Market Place, hence the name. This is somewhat misleading as the plant has been found growing in Mexico.

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