Succulent plants that thrive in zones 3 to 9 are known as sedums. Because succulents are notorious for holding water in their leaves, sedum is one of the most hardy succulents available. Sedums can withstand heat, dry soil, and cold temperatures. Sedum, unlike most perennials, does not require much attention during the winter.
Sedums can be neglected as you prepare and prune your garden for the winter. Sedums are hardy plants that can withstand cold and temperatures below freezing. The remaining stalks with spent flowers will provide color and food for the birds as the upright sedums fade back to the ground. You can cut the stalks to the ground if you want. It will not affect the plant or its new growth in the spring.
What sedums are cold hardy?
Sedums with fine, little leaves are cold-hardier and heat-tolerant than those with broad leaves. The 4-inch-tall tasteless stonecrop (Sedum sexangulare), which has yellow flowers and spiraling, green leaves that turn a copper color in winter, and the 6-inch-tall widow’s cross or sea star (Sedum pulchellum), which acts like a winter annual, are both cold hardy sedum varieties that are recommended in USDA zones 3 or 4 through 9.
Are sedums frost hardy?
The ideal location for a garden sedum is one that is well-drained and receives plenty of direct sunlight at least a few hours per day. This isn’t as important for deciduous sedums in the winter, so if the sun doesn’t rise high enough to shine on them, it’s not a problem it will be in the summer, when the arc of the sun is much higher and your garden is lit much better.
Containers, baskets, troughs, wall and green roof gardens where water is occasionally provided are perfect.
Stonecrop that Lives Forever They may be succulents, but they can withstand a remarkable amount of cold, damp, and terrible weather over the winter. Succulence and the manner they work (CAM) are beneficial during droughts as well as extended periods of cold and frost. Most other plants suffer greatly if they are unable to ‘breathe’ for 3 or 4 months….but sedums, like hibernating Bears, emerge with vim and zest each spring, looking as if they needed their lengthy rest quickly producing lush leaves and filling their spaces before Summer flowering.
Most Alpine plants have this feature, which distinguishes them from other plants when it comes to enduring cold, wet, icy winters.
When you examine a succulent sedum closely after it has been frozen, it appears that it will recover but it does, and it appears that it will change significantly after this frigid period. If they’ve been sheltered all winter, give them a frosty period to stiffen and toughen their stems and leaves to rebuild their cells bigger, stronger, and thicker….so give them a frosty period if they’ve been sheltered all winter. Because the chemistry and hormones inside the sedums alter when the temperature drops, don’t plant them in a polytunnel if you want the best flowering and compact development (like most commercial growers do …hint, hint …quality cannot be attained there)
How to Take Care of Sedums Keep them away from slugs and snails, keep them out of moist spots, don’t put them under larger plants in your garden, and make sure they get at least a few hours of bright sunlight each day – preferably south facing (and never north facing).
Keep leaves and debris away from them, and try not to hurt them this includes cats, dogs, and footballs, though tiny leafed groundcovers may take a hit.
Wherever they are planted, good drainage is vital – what falls from the sky is generally enough for a Sedum.
Sedums are very adept in surviving the drying, destructive effects of frigid wind. For several weeks, if not months, their leaf stomata close, their leaves and stems thicken and toughen, and normal plant processes cease. They have a specific adaption called CAM Crassulacean Acid Metabolism that is unique to this family of Crassula succulents (which includes Sedums).
I’ll leave you with that bit of humour……..don’t be deceived by the glitzy labels, trust the experts….
How cold is too cold for sedum?
Growing succulents outside in the winter might be difficult for people who live in colder areas. After all, succulents are known for enjoying sunlight, not the contrary, yet there are still certain varieties that thrive in the winter. Sempervivum, Hardy Sedum, and Hardy Opuntia are three of the most cold hardy genera, capable of surviving temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. Other succulents, such as Agave and Rosularia, are also cold tolerant.
Does sedum need to be covered for frost?
She discovered that the yucca ‘Wall Bright Star’ can withstand temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit, while the agave ‘After Glow’ is more cold tolerant. These specimens were discovered by Baron at Petaluma’s Cottage Gardens.
The hardiness of variegated specimens appears to be lower. Frost is not a friend of euphorbias. Even though they are deemed hardy to 30 degrees, container plants are more vulnerable to lower temperatures.
Crassula sarcocaulis can withstand temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Sempervivums, sometimes known as hens and chicks, can withstand frigid temperatures. Sedums, commonly known as stonecrops, seem to be unaffected by the chilly temperatures.
All of your succulents should be covered with frost-resistant material that breathes and allows moisture and sunshine to pass through, according to Baron.
Throughout the colder months, lightweight sheets thrown over the plant work well, but they must be removed during the day.
Place the containers under eaves or in other safe places. Wait until the weather warms up before going out on the water.
If you have a mini-greenhouse or something bigger, add some low-voltage lights for extra warmth and keep the pots gently covered with frost protectant material, sometimes known as floating row covers, until they are no longer needed.
Finally, she has kept her succulents alive by covering those in pots, those planted in the ground, and even those in her greenhouse.
When the temperature dropped to 28 degrees in my garden, the sedums, sempervivums, Orostachys, Senecio mandraliscae, Crassula cocinea ‘Campfire,’ Rhodiela, and Aloe nobilis were unaffected.
Read the plant label when buying succulents; it will typically inform you how cold-hardy the plant is. Some species within a genus may be more hardy than others.
The number of days with low temperatures, as well as a protracted rainy spell as we had, can affect hardiness.
Readers who live in a warmer atmosphere will be able to grow the succulent types that are a little more delicate.
Surprisingly, visiting neighbors in your neighborhood who have had little to no plant frost damage can also assist you figure out which succulents will do well in your own garden.
“Succulent Container Gardens, Design Eye-Catching Displays with 350 Easy-Care Plants,” by Debra Lee Baldwin, is a fantastic reference book for all succulent fans.
This book covers a wide range of topics, including succulent cultural requirements, individual plant hardiness, and intriguing container arrangements that use color, texture, and size to suit each container.
Cynthia wonders how a yucca differs from an agave in terms of physical qualities.
Yuccas are mounding succulents that grow 2 to 3 feet tall and feature spiky foliage with stringy hairs along the margins. In the early or mid-summer, they produce flowers on stalks.
Agaves’ leaves are roughly 18 inches long and 3 inches wide, with sharp spiky points, and they grow in clumps. Agaves, often known as century plants, grow flowers on stalks that reach several feet above the leaf cluster when they do.
Is it okay to graft a citrus onto a camellia, as Jess S. asks? If it isn’t absolutely required, don’t remove the camellia’s root system.
Sedum Care
Sedum plants, also known as Stonecrop, grow best in full sun with little to no water and, most importantly, well-drained soil. For the flower bed and border, there are larger types that grow to be over two feet tall and wide. There are certain old standbys in the cottage garden, such as “It’s Autumn Joy.” Ground cover types in vibrant greens, grays, and reds that may spread swiftly and flower in early summer, such as “Angelina Jolie”. And everything in the middle! They thrive in practically any garden and make excellent container plants. Sedum plants feature succulent leaves that range in size from small needles to larger and fleshier leaves, and are available in a variety of colors and patterns, including gray, green, purple, blue, and even variegated! Butterflies and bees are attracted to them. And, best of all, they are perennials, meaning they will return year after year.
- Always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always If you’re going to plant them in containers, add some shredded bark or sand to the soil mix to make it more porous. If your garden soil is heavy, fix it or plant them in raised beds and containers.
- Choose containers that complement the look and feel of the plants. To fit the contemporary vibe these plants give off, think concrete, stone, or simple round bowls if you want to go for a succulent garden aesthetic. But don’t let that stop you from utilizing them in any style of garden; it’s a terrific way to freshen things up!
- Although they can survive without water for long periods of time, I find that if they are in well-drained soil, they look best when watered on a regular basis and let to slightly dry out in between.
- They don’t require a lot of fertilizer or a lot of soil. In fact, if you fertilize your plants too much, they will become floppy, with a lot of stem but few leaves and blooms.
- They can tolerate a little midday shadow, but the taller kinds will flip over if they don’t get enough sun.
- Pinch off the tops of the main stems of taller kinds in the spring, when the plant is around six inches tall. This will drive the plant to grow more compactly, which will solve the flopping over issue I stated earlier.
Once you’ve mastered sedum maintenance, experiment with different hen and chick breeds to grow alongside them. They require the same amount of water and fertilizer as sedums and make excellent companion plants. Sempervirens is the Latin name for these succulents, so you know you’re getting the appropriate one. This image from ‘Sunset’ demonstrates how amazing they appear in containers together.
Are all succulents winter hardy?
While there are many of beautiful succulent gardens in sunny southern California, outdoor succulent gardens in four-season regions like Utah are more difficult to come by.
Sempervivums (also known as hens and chicks) and Stonecrop Sedums are two types of succulents that can withstand freezing conditions. Most people can withstand temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
I’ve been working on a variety of arrangements using only cold resistant succulents so that I can have a beautiful outside succulent garden all year, even when it’s snowing.
You’ll find affiliate connections to Mountain Crest Gardens and the succulents I used for these projects throughout this site.
While many of the succulents were given to me for free, I truly enjoy Mountain Crest’s succulents and would suggest them to anybody! You won’t find a more diverse collection of cold-tolerant succulents anywhere else.
In the videos below, you’ll see a variety of succulent collections and items, but I wanted to make it easy for you to view them all at once, so here’s a list of the things I used to create these succulent landscapes:
Does sedum stay green all winter?
The majority of sedum types are quite resistant and can withstand even the harshest winter conditions. Potted sedums can stay outside all winter depending on the container type. We recommend utilizing our resin containers because ceramic or terracotta pots will shatter in cooler temperatures. For the winter, place the pot in a sheltered position near a building. It’s preferable if the plant remains frozen and dormant during the winter, then blooms again in the spring. Keep the container out of direct sunlight. This can result in a thaw/freeze cycle that is harmful to the roots. Wrapping the pot in burlap, burying the pot in the ground, or letting snow to cover the container can all help to preserve the sedum’s roots.
Should I cut back my sedum for the winter?
Tall sedum varieties like “Autumn Joy” (Sedum x “Autumn Joy”), which thrives in USDA zones 5 through 9, flower all winter and need to be pruned in late winter or early spring. Cut the sedum back in the winter as soon as the blossoms fade, or whenever you see green peeping through the ground in the spring. Using pruning shears, cut the entire plant back to ground level, or break the stalks at ground level by hand. The sedum will reappear from the roots in the spring.
What does sedum look like in winter?
Autumn Joy, a tall sedum cultivar, is known for its spectacular fall flower display. Autumn sedums are in full bloom at a time when most of the garden is closing down. Tall sedums dry down as fall turns to winter, but their frost-kissed stems remain lovely. Some creeping sedums, such as Sedum tetractinum, have red or purple leaves that turn red or purple in the winter.
Sedums and Cut Flowers:
Sedums grow tall and give superb cut flowers. Cut the stem, peel some of the leaves at the bottom, and eat once the majority of the florets have opened. Cut flowers from tall sedums dry well as well.
How do I protect my succulents in the winter?
Cover your outdoor succulents with bed sheets if your area gets periodic frost. Row cover or nonwoven fabric, which are commonly constructed of spun nylon, can also be used. Covering your plants with these blankets can keep them safe when temperatures drop to 2-4 degrees below freezing.
Furthermore, do not remove your plants’ dried leaves, as these protect them from harsh temperatures. Plants that are sensitive to cold should be moved beneath a tree, deck, or eaves to help keep heat from escaping.