Autumn stonecrop
Hylotelephium spectabile · Crassulaceae
📷 André Karwath aka Aka · CC BY-SA 2.5
The gardener's calendar
Autumn stonecrop is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Hylotelephium spectabile
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Plant type
- Perennial succulent
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- August to October
- Adult height
- 60 cm
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -15°C)
- Origin
- China and Siberia
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Hylotelephium spectabile grows in any well-draining soil, even poor and rocky; it's excessive moisture that can weaken it or make it flabby. Water sparingly, divide every 4 years in spring to rejuvenate.
The common mistake
Enriching the soil or watering regularly: you'll create a soft, flattened stonecrop that sprawls in the wind and rots from the center over winter.
The pro's trick
In autumn, after the first frost that turns the inflorescences pink or brown, leave them to dry on the plant for the whole winter.
Care
Exposure and light
Autumn sedum thrives in full sun, where it displays its most beautiful pink to red hues. It tolerates partial shade but will flower less generously. Plant it in an open location to ensure good air circulation and prevent fungal diseases.
Watering
Let the soil dry between waterings, as this succulent dislikes excess moisture. During the summer period, one to two waterings per week are sufficient depending on conditions. During autumn and winter, reduce watering drastically.
Soil type and planting
Use well-draining, light soil that is not too rich: a mixture of potting soil, coarse sand and gravel is ideal. Autumn sedum tolerates poor and rocky soils. Absolutely avoid heavy or clay substrates that promote root rot.
Fertilization
No fertilizer is really necessary for this frugal plant. If you wish to enrich the soil, apply a very diluted succulent plant fertilizer once in early summer, no more than that.
Pruning and maintenance
Remove faded flowers after October to encourage the plant to concentrate its energy. In late winter, cut dried stems back to the ground. No deep pruning is required; this plant structures itself naturally.
Diseases and pests
Autumn sedum is very robust. Watch for root rot from excess moisture, especially in winter. Slugs can sometimes damage it. In humid conditions, leaf spots may appear, remedied by better air circulation.
Did you know?
Autumn sedum owes its scientific name 'spectabile' (spectacular) to its pale pink flower clusters that gradually take on dark red hues as autumn approaches. For monarch butterflies, it is a precious refuge plant at the end of the season before their winter migration to Mexico.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.