Scientific Name
Sedum sarmentosum Bunge
Common Name(s)
Gold Moss, Gold Moss Sedum, Gold Moss Stonecrop, Graveyard Moss, Star Sedum, Stringy Stonecrop, Trailing Stonecrop, Yellow Moss
Synonym(s)
Sedum sarmentosum var. sarmentosum
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Sedum
Etymology
The specific epithet "sarmentosum (sar-men-TOH-sum)" means "full of runners" and refers to the stems that send out long filiform runners.
Origin
Sedum sarmentosum is native to China, Japan, and Korea.
Description
Sedum sarmentosum is a mat-forming succulent with branched, creeping or ascending stems that can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) long, rooting at the nodes. The leaves are thick, fleshy, yellowish-green, and arranged in whorls of 3. They are lance-shaped, measuring up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) wide.
The star-shaped flowers are yellow and appear on branched inflorescences in summer.
How to Grow and Care for Sedum sarmentosum
Light: These succulents grow best in locations where they will enjoy the full sun for at least six hours daily. Most species will tolerate partial shade but will not thrive in deep shade.
Soil: Sedums do not like to sit in waterlogged soil, so drainage is essential to prevent root rot. Choose a gritty, well-draining soil.
Hardiness: Sedum sarmentosum can withstand temperatures as low as -40 to 30 °F (-40 to -1.1 °C), USDA hardiness zones 3a to 9b.
Watering: Sedum plants are drought-tolerant but do need some water. They do their best with regular watering from spring through fall. Water thoroughly and wait for the soil to dry out before watering again.
Fertilizing: A balanced organic fertilizer each spring is generally all Sedums require. Feeding is unnecessary as long as the plants are divided annually and provided with fresh soil.
Repotting: Sedums in containers require little more care than those in gardens. Repot your plants when they outgrow their current pot by moving them to a larger container to hold the plant better.
Propagation: Once you have one Sedum, it is easy to make more by taking stems or leaf cuttings and dividing the plant. Sedums are also easy to grow from seed.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Sedum.
Toxicity of Sedum sarmentosum
Sedums are 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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