Sedum spurium
Sedum spurium (Caucasian stonecrop) Care Guide
Featured photosedum-spurium.jpgSedum spurium, sold as Caucasian stonecrop, is a member of *Sedum*, a global genus of about 600 succulent stonecrops in the family Crassulaceae. A creeping Caucasian species with small rounded green leaves on red-tinged stems, forming dense low mats. Hardy and widely grown outdoors as a ground cover; the 'Dragon's Blood' cultivar with deep-red foliage is the most common indoor form. Like most Sedum it tolerates long dry spells, full sun to bright filtered light, and propagates almost trivially from stem or leaf cuttings — broken pieces root readily on dry succulent mix.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Water deeply when the mix is fully dry, then let it drain completely.
- Humidity
- 20–50 %
- Temperature
- 5–27 °C
- Soil
- Free-draining gritty succulent mix with at least 30 percent perlite, pumice, or coarse sand.
- Origin
- Temperate and subtropical regions across the northern hemisphere, with diversity centres in Mexico and the Mediterranean.
- Mature size
- 5 to 30 cm tall depending on species, often spreading widely.
Overview
Sedum spurium sits in Sedum, the largest succulent genus in Crassulaceae. A creeping Caucasian species with small rounded green leaves on red-tinged stems, forming dense low mats. Hardy and widely grown outdoors as a ground cover; the 'Dragon's Blood' cultivar with deep-red foliage is the most common indoor form. The thick fleshy leaves store enough water that mature plants tolerate weeks of neglect, and most species also tolerate cool conditions far better than tender succulents like Echeveria.
Care Priorities
- Full sun or very bright filtered light keeps growth compact and pigmented.
- Gritty, fast-draining mix; sustained moisture is the leading killer.
- Water rarely; the leaves store ample reserves.
- Pinch back leggy stems and root the cuttings — Sedum propagates almost trivially.
Common Problems
Stretched, pale stems are insufficient light. Mushy base is overwatering. Leaf drop with no other symptoms is normal in winter rest. Aphids cluster at growing tips on weakened plants.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-29
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-29
Frequently asked questions
How cold-hardy is Sedum spurium?
Very — S. spurium is reliably hardy down to around -25 °C in well-drained soil. Indoor specimens benefit from a cool winter rest, which deepens leaf colour and triggers the late-summer pink flowering.
Will Sedum survive a cold windowsill?
Most cultivated Sedum tolerate cool windowsills well — many species are genuinely cold-hardy outdoors and a slightly cool indoor winter actually deepens leaf colour. Avoid sustained temperatures below freezing for the tender Mexican species.
Can I plant Sedum cuttings straight into soil?
Yes — Sedum is the easiest of the common succulents to propagate. Snap a healthy stem, let the cut callus for a day or two, and push it into dry succulent mix. Roots usually appear within two to three weeks.
