Sedum pulchellum (Widow's Cross)

Scientific Name

Sedum pulchellum Michx.

Common Names

Widow's Cross, Widowscross, Sea Star

Synonyms

Aectyson sagittatum, Chetyson vigilmontis, Sedum pulchrum, Sedum vigilimontis

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Sedum pulchellum is an annual or perennial succulent with ascending to spreading, pink to light green stems that typically rise to 12 inches (30 cm) tall. Leaves are pale green to lime green, cylindrical, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, and densely arranged along the stem. The stems are topped by a horizontally branched cyme of tiny pink-white flowers that appear in late spring.

Sedum pulchellum (Widow's Cross) — *Photo by Wayne Fagerlund*

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 6a to 9b: from -10 °F (−23.3 °C) to 30 °F (-1.1 °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. 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 plant started there. They will send out roots from wherever the stem is touching the ground and root itself. If you would like to further ensure 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.