White stonecrop (Sedum album)

white stonecrop

Features and Characteristics

Sedum album, commonly known as white stonecrop, is a creeping, mat-forming, evergreen sedum or stonecrop that is native to Europe, Siberia, western Asia and north Africa. It has escaped gardens and naturalized in Ontario, Quebec, northeastern to northcentral U.S., British Columbia south to California plus Utah. Dense foliage typically grows to 4″ tall with a spread to 12-18″ wide. Small, succulent, linear-oblong, cylindrical to flattened, green leaves (to 3/4″ long) turn reddish brown for fall and winter. Tiny, star-like, white flowers in clusters (paniculate cymes) bloom in mid-summer above the foliage mat. Flowers are attractive to butterflies.

Genus name comes from the Latin word sedeo meaning to sit in reference to the general growing habit of many of the sedums (they sit and sprawl over rocks).

Specific epithet from Latin means white in obvious reference to the flowers.

Care and Maintenance

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates very light shade. Prefers well-drained sandy to gravelly soils of moderate to low fertility. Drought and heat tolerant, particularly once established. Propagate by division or seed. Plants spread indefinitely along the ground by prostrate stems which root at the nodes. Detached leaves may root to form new plants.

White stonecrop (Sedum album) Requirements

Hardiness zone	3 - 8
Sun light	Full sun
Water	Dry to medium
Maintenance	Low

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for slugs and snails. Scale may appear.

Uses

Best when planted in groups or massed as a ground cover. May be grown in rock gardens, between stepping stones or in border fronts. Green roof gardens. Along ledges or stone walls. Site in areas where the foliage and flowers may be appreciated. Containers.

White stonecrop (Sedum album) Details

Common name	white stonecrop
Botanical name	Sedum album
Plant type	Herbaceous perennial
Family	Crassulaceae
Hardiness zone	3 - 8
Water	Dry to medium
Maintenance	Low
Flower color	White
Flowering period	June - August
Height	0.25 to 0.50 feet
Width	1 - 1.50 feet