My garden, alive in my pocket.
Track my garden
Orpine

Orpine

Hylotelephium telephium · Crassulaceae

📷 Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0

The gardener's calendar

The right move for September

In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around orpine and prepare for winter.

JFMAMJJASOND Planting

ID card

Foliage
Deciduous, fleshy and hairless
Flowering
August to October, pink-purple or white flowers in corymbs
Adult size
40 to 80 cm in height
Growth
Moderate
Hardiness
Very hardy, down to -20 °C
Origin
Central and southern Europe
Soil type
Well-drained, poor to medium, tolerates dry soils

Care

Watering

Water moderately in summer, especially during prolonged drought. In autumn and winter, reduce significantly or stop watering as the plant enters dormancy. Succulents fear excess water: wait for the soil to dry completely between waterings.

Light Exposure

Place the plant in full sun (at least 6 hours per day) or partial shade. The brighter the exposure, the more abundant the flowering will be and the more intense the autumn foliage colors will become.

Soil Preparation

Prepare a very well-drained substrate: mix garden soil, quality compost and sand or fine gravel. Absolutely avoid stagnant moisture, which would cause the fleshy roots to rot.

Pruning and Cutting

Prune wilted stems in late autumn or early winter after flowering. You can cut the plant back to ground level or leave 10 cm for better regrowth in spring. This cutting promotes denser branching.

Nutritional Support

Fertilizer is not essential if the soil is properly prepared. If necessary, provide a light application of phosphorus and potassium in spring to support flowering, without excess nitrogen which would weaken the plant.

Diseases and Pests

The plant is generally resistant to diseases. Watch for root rot from excess moisture, which remains the main problem. In case of pest attacks (rare), treat with diluted black soap. Ensure good air circulation at the base to prevent fungus.

Did you know?

This plant owes its name to traditional medicine: its fleshy leaves were once applied to wounds and cuts to accelerate healing. Although no scientific efficacy has been proven, this hardy and generous plant has accompanied European gardens for centuries, notably in medieval monastery gardens where it was cultivated for its supposed healing properties.

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

Browse all plants →

Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.