Scientific Name
Sedum spathulifolium 'Purpureum'
Common Name(s)
Purple Broadleaf Stonecrop, Purple Spoon-leaved Stonecrop, Purple Stonecrop, Purpureum Stonecrop, Red Chalk Stonecrop
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Sedum
Origin
This succulent is an attractive cultivar of Sedum spathulifolium.
Description
Sedum spathulifolium 'Purpureum' is a mat-forming succulent with cute rosettes of fleshy reddish-purple leaves with a waxy coating. The rosettes grow up to 1.5 inches (3.7 cm) in diameter, producing 1 to 2 offsets. Leaves are up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long. The inner leaves are silvery-gray.
Flowers are bright yellow and appear in small flattish terminal clusters in late spring and early summer.

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 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 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 over the plant. You can break off one of the stems for taller Sedum 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.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Sedum.
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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