Sedum dasyphyllum
| Light | Bright light to light shade; a little afternoon shade in the hottest gardens |
|---|---|
| Water | Low; water when the mix has dried out, keep dry in winter |
| Soil | Gritty, sharply draining mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Frost-hardy in many climates, roughly USDA zones 6–9 |
| Propagation | Very easy from stem cuttings, dropped leaves, or division |
| Toxicity | Generally considered non-toxic; not intended for eating |
Sedum dasyphyllum, the Corsican stonecrop, is a tiny-leaved, blue-grey creeping succulent that knits itself into dense, low cushions of tightly packed foliage. Tough, mat-forming and remarkably drought-hardy, it is one of the easiest stonecrops to grow and a favourite for rock gardens, wall crevices, troughs and green roofs.
Description
Sedum dasyphyllum is a low, spreading perennial that rarely rises more than a few centimetres above the ground. Its stems creep, root as they go, and branch into fat little rosettes of small, rounded, almost bead-like leaves. The foliage is its main charm: chubby, closely overlapping leaves in a soft blue-grey to lavender-grey, often finely dusted with a waxy bloom and sometimes flushing pink or purple in strong sun and cold. Many forms carry a faint coating of tiny glandular hairs that gives the plant a slightly frosted, powdery look.
In early to mid summer the cushions send up short flowering stems topped with small, star-shaped white flowers, usually finely veined or spotted with pink. After flowering those particular stems die back, but the surrounding mat quickly fills in.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to southern and central Europe, the Mediterranean region and North Africa, where it grows on rocks, old walls, screes and other thin, gritty ground. It is thoroughly at home in exposed, sun-baked crevices with almost no soil, drawing on its water-storing leaves to ride out long dry spells. This wild toughness is exactly why it performs so well in lean, fast-draining garden conditions.
Cultivation
Sedum dasyphyllum is about as forgiving as succulents get, provided drainage is good. Grow it in a gritty, sharply draining mix or a lean, stony garden soil, in bright light to light shade. Full sun brings out the best leaf colour and keeps the cushions tight; in deep shade the plant stretches, greens up and loses its neat form.
Water when the soil has dried, then let it dry again; the plant stores plenty of moisture in its leaves and dislikes sitting wet. In winter keep it on the dry side. Many forms are genuinely frost-hardy and can live outdoors year-round in temperate gardens, tucked into a wall, trough or rockery; where winters are wet as well as cold, overhead protection from constant damp does more good than warmth. It is an excellent choice for green roofs, crevice plantings and the edges of mixed succulent pots. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
Propagation could hardly be simpler. The brittle little leaves detach at the lightest touch, and scattered leaves readily root and form new plantlets where they land, so a single plant can seed a whole trough over time. For deliberate increase, take short stem cuttings or pull apart a clump and replant the rooted pieces; both establish quickly in a gritty mix. Fallen leaves and rosettes can also be laid on the surface and kept lightly moist until they strike. Seed is possible but rarely needed given how freely the plant multiplies on its own.
Common problems
- Rot — the main risk, caused by wet, poorly drained soil or overwatering, especially in winter; stems soften and blacken.
- Etiolation — too little light makes the cushions loose, leggy and green rather than compact and blue-grey.
- Pests — mealybugs and aphids may occasionally shelter among the dense foliage; slugs can nibble the soft leaves in damp gardens.
- Leaf shatter — the leaves drop very easily when handled, which is normal and not a sign of ill health.
See also
- Sedum — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation - cuttings · Propagation - offsets · Repotting