Sedum anglicum
Sedum anglicum · Crassulaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around sedum anglicum and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen, fleshy and colourful
- Flowering
- June to August, small white or pink flowers
- Mature size
- 5-10 cm tall, 15-20 cm spread
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15°C
- Origin
- Rocky coasts of south-west Great Britain and Ireland
- Soil type
- Well-draining, poor fertility, light
Care
Watering
Water moderately in summer when the soil is completely dry. In winter, reduce watering significantly. This succulent stores water in its leaves and tolerates drought well. Excess moisture risks causing root rot.
Exposure
Position Sedum anglicum in full sun or partial shade. In full sun, its foliage takes on attractive reddish tones. Insufficient light makes it paler and more etiolated.
Soil and substrate
Use a very well-draining substrate: cactus-specific compost, a mixture of light potting soil and sand or gravel. Ordinary, overly rich soil that retains moisture should be avoided completely. Sedum anglicum thrives in poor, mineral-rich soils.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is necessary. Simply remove dead or damaged leaves at the base. You can take rosettes or individual leaves to propagate them by cuttings.
Fertiliser
Fertiliser is not essential. If you do feed, use a very dilute fertiliser specific to succulents, once in spring or early summer. Overly rich soil promotes soft growth at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
This plant is generally very resistant. The main risk is root rot from excess moisture. Occasionally watch for mealybugs under shelter. Good drainage is the best prevention.
Did you know?
Sedum anglicum is such a tiny plant that it goes almost unnoticed in its natural habitat on the rocky cliffs of Britain and Ireland. This adaptation to extreme conditions allows it to colonise the smallest rock crevices where few other plants can survive, by accumulating water and nutrients in its tiny fleshy leaves.
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
- Biting stonecropSedum acre
- Cobweb HouseleekSempervivum arachnoideum
- Pacific stonecropSedum spathulifolium
- Pig's earCotyledon orbiculata
- Tree roofleek, Tree aeoniumAeonium arboreum
- Autumn stonecropHylotelephium spectabile
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.