Sedum sexangulare – Succulent plants

Sedum sexangulare is a beautiful, small, evergreen perennial, mat-forming succulent plant that grows up to 2-6 inches tall and 20 inches wide. It has thick, short, succulent stems branching at the base. It has bright green, Cylindrical, succulent leaves that appear in six spiral rows and the leaves take on copper-bronze tones in fall and winter. It produces tiny, star-like, 5-petaled, bright yellow flowers that bloom in cymes just above the foliage in summer. The leaves of tasteless stonecrop have a very mild taste hence the common name. It is harvested from the wild for local use as food. The leaves of Sedum sexangulare are eaten as raw or cooked.

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Genus: Sedum
Species: S. sexangulare
Scientific Name: Sedum sexangulare
Synonyms: Sedum piloshanense, Umbilicus oreades, Sedum filicaule, Sedum jaeschkei, Sedum squarrosum
Common Names: Tasteless stonecrop, Chain Stonecrop, Stonecrop, Insipid Stonecrop, Six-sided Stonecrop, Watch-chain Sedum.

How to grow and care for Sedum sexangulare

Light

It requires full sun to light shade. Two to four hours of afternoon sunlight is best for the plant. South-facing windows are ideal or west, north-facing will not encourage growth.

Soil

It grows best in Well-draining, poor soils, sand, rock gardens, and rich garden soil, under a variety of light levels. Use 2 parts potting soil, 2 parts coarse sand, 2 parts peat, and 1 part perlite or crushed charcoal.

Temperature

It Prefers an ideal temperature between 65°F – 75°F / 18°C – 25°C during summer. Temperature no lower than 50 °F – 55°F / 10°F – 12.7°C is best. It does best in hotter conditions. Try not to keep the plant outside in freezing temperatures.

Water

Sedum sexangulare needs more water in the spring and summer, but you can allow the topsoil to become slightly dry between each watering. During the winter season, reduce watering.

Fertilizer

Fertilize once a month with a diluted liquid fertilizer or use a slow-releasing nitrogen-based fertilizer, during the spring and summer season.

Propagation

Sedum sexangulare can be easily propagated by seed, stem cuttings, and leaf cuttings. you can break off one of the stems and push it into the ground where you would like to grow it. The stem will root very easily. Or Cut off leaves from the stem, let them dry, and then place the cutting into the soil. Keep the potting soil moist until the cutting begins to grow.

Re-Potting

Re-pot your plant every year or every two years. As the plant grows, you should move it to a wider pot so the new stems and roots have enough room to develop. Repotting is best done during spring.

Pests and Diseases

The Sedum plant has is no serious pests or disease issues. Watch for aphids and flies. You can dispose of them by spraying insecticidal soap or neem oil over the foliage.