Scientific Name
Sedum tetractinum Fröd.
Common Name(s)
Chinese Sedum, Chinese Stonecrop, Fish-scale Sedum
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Sedum
Description
Sedum tetractinum is a low-growing succulent that forms a mat of overlapping rounded leaves that resemble fish scales. It grows to 4 inches tall and spreads by runners to 1 foot (30 cm) wide. Leaves are bright green, turning dark bronze, and often deciduous in winter. They are up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long and 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) wide. The flower spikes of tiny, star-shaped, yellow flowers appear over the shiny foliage during summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 5a to 8b: from −20 °F (−28.9 °C) to 20 °F (−6.7 °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 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 plant started there. They will send out roots from wherever the stem touches the ground and root itself. If you want 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 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.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Sedum.
Origin
Sedum tetractinum is native to China.
Cultivars
Links
- Back to genus Sedum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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