Sedum clavatum
| Light | Bright light to full sun; more sun deepens the colour |
|---|---|
| Water | Soak-and-dry; water when the mix is fully dry, less in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining, gritty succulent mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Leaf and stem cuttings (very easy); offsets |
| Toxicity | Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Sedum clavatum is a low-growing succulent from Mexico that forms tight, chubby rosettes of plump, spoon-shaped leaves. The leaves are a soft powder-blue to grey-green, coated in a waxy farina bloom, and their tips and margins flush a warm pink to rose when the plant is grown in bright light or cool conditions. Easy to grow and famously simple to propagate, it is a favourite for sedum bowls, containers and rockeries.
Description
Sedum clavatum produces compact rosettes up to about 5 cm (2 in) across at the tips of short, trailing or ascending stems. Each rosette is packed with fat, club-shaped to spoon-shaped leaves that taper toward the base — the specific epithet clavatum means "club-shaped." The foliage carries a heavy powdery bloom that gives it a frosted, pale blue-green look; where light is strong the leaf tips and edges blush pink or coral.
As the stems lengthen they tend to sprawl and branch, and rosettes readily cluster into low mounds or spill over the rim of a pot. In spring the plant sends up short flower stalks bearing small, star-shaped white flowers.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to Mexico, where it grows on rocky slopes and cliff faces. Like many Mexican Crassulaceae, it favours well-drained, mineral-rich footholds among rocks, receiving bright light and drying out thoroughly between rains. This background explains its intolerance of soggy soil in cultivation.
Cultivation
Sedum clavatum is an undemanding, beginner-friendly succulent. Grow it in a gritty, free-draining mix and give it as much bright light as you can — a sunny windowsill or a bright, sheltered outdoor spot — to keep the rosettes tight and to bring out the pink blush. In low light the rosettes stretch, the leaves space out, and the colour fades to plain green.
Water using the soak-and-dry method: drench the mix, then let it dry out completely before watering again, easing off through the cool, dark months. The waxy farina bloom is easily rubbed off by handling and does not grow back, so lift plants by the stem or pot rather than touching the leaves. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
This is one of the easiest succulents to multiply. Whole leaves twisted cleanly from the stem will callus and sprout tiny plantlets, and beheaded rosettes or stem cuttings root quickly once the cut end has dried for a day or two. Offsets and sprawling stems can simply be detached and replanted. See Propagation — cuttings, Propagation — leaf and Propagation — offsets for full walkthroughs.
Common problems
- Rot — the usual cause of loss, from overwatering or a slow-draining mix; the stem or rosette base turns soft and translucent.
- Etiolation — too little light stretches the stems and spaces out the leaves, losing the compact form and pink colour.
- Lost bloom — the powdery farina wipes off permanently where leaves are handled, leaving shiny patches; purely cosmetic.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff tucked between the leaves) are the most common; watch also for aphids on flower stalks.
See also
- Sedum — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — cuttings · Propagation — leaf · Propagation — offsets