Sedum polytrichoides

Scientific Name

Sedum polytrichoides Hemsl.

Common Name(s)

Spanish Stonecrop

Synonym(s)

Sedum polytrichoides subsp. polytrichoides, Sedum kiusianum, Sedum yabeanum, Sedum coreense, Sedum lepidopodum

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Sedum polytrichoides is a mat-forming succulent with slender, ascending, densely leafy stems. The leaves are alternate, linear-lanceolate to oblong, and up to 0.6 inches (2 cm) long. Flowering stems are slender, woody, ascending, branched from the base, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, and remotely leafy than the sterile stems. Flowers are small, star-shaped, and yellow.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 8a to 10b: from 10 °F (−12.2 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).

How to Grow and Care

When growing Sedum, keep in mind that Sedum 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 usually enough to get the Sedum 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 Sedum varieties and push it into the ground where you want 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 China, Korea, Russia, and Japan, near the coast and mountain forests at moist rocky places in the shade.

Cultivars

Sedum polytrichoides 'Chocolate Ball'