Sedum nussbaumerianum
| Light | Very bright light to full sun; the more sun, the deeper the colour |
|---|---|
| Water | Water when the soil has dried out; reduce in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining, gritty mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Very easy from leaves and stem cuttings |
| Toxicity | Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Sedum nussbaumerianum is an easy-going Mexican stonecrop that forms low, spreading rosettes of plump, pointed leaves. In shade the foliage is a soft yellow-green, but under bright sun it flushes to a warm coppery-orange, earning the plant its most common name, coppertone stonecrop. It is frequently confused with, and sold as, its close relative Sedum adolphi, to which it is very similar.
Description
Sedum nussbaumerianum is a shrubby, ground-hugging succulent that trails and branches as it grows, with stems that root readily where they touch the soil. Each stem is tipped with a loose rosette of thick, tapering leaves that come to a soft point. Leaf colour is highly responsive to light: well-shaded plants stay a pale green, while those grown hard in full sun develop the glowing orange-to-copper tones the species is prized for, often with a rosy edge.
In late winter and spring, established plants can produce clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers carried just above the foliage. The flowers are fragrant and attractive to pollinators but are secondary to the plant's real appeal, which is its colourful, sculptural foliage.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to Mexico, where it grows on rocky slopes and ledges in the state of Veracruz. In these habitats it roots into thin, gritty soils and rock crevices in bright, exposed positions, which explains both its love of sun and its tolerance of drought. It has become a hugely popular ornamental worldwide and is a mainstay of succulent gardens and mixed container plantings in mild climates.
Cultivation
Coppertone stonecrop is one of the most forgiving succulents to grow, which makes it a great choice for beginners. Give it the brightest position you can — a sunny windowsill or, better still, an outdoor spot with several hours of direct sun — to bring out the full coppery colour; in low light it reverts to plain green and stretches. Grow it in a gritty, free-draining mix and water only when the soil has dried, tapering off in winter. See Watering for general technique.
It is not frost-hardy, so where winters drop below freezing it should be grown in a container and brought under cover, or treated as a summer bedding plant. Trailing stems eventually grow leggy; these can be trimmed back and the cuttings simply replanted to keep clumps full. See Repotting when plants outgrow their containers.
Propagation
Few succulents are easier to propagate. Whole leaves gently twisted from the stem will root and pup on a bare, mineral surface, and stem cuttings root even faster — allow the cut end to callus for a day or two, then set it on gritty mix and water lightly once roots begin. Trailing stems often self-layer, rooting wherever they rest on soil. See Propagation — leaf, Propagation — cuttings and Propagation — offsets for full walkthroughs.
Common problems
- Etiolation — the most frequent complaint; too little light makes the rosettes stretch, gap out and lose their orange colour, fading back to green.
- Rot — from overwatering or a mix that holds moisture; stems and leaves go soft and translucent from the base.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff tucked into the rosettes and leaf joints) and, less often, aphids on flower stalks. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Sedum — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — leaf · Propagation — cuttings