Sedum clavatum is a delicate, grayish blue succulent. Its fleshy leaves have a red edge, and the plant matures into a 4-inch tall plant. The plant is low maintenance in nature and fit for an outdoor cacti garden or as a potted houseplant.
Read this article for some important tips and tricks to growing this succulent as part of your collection.
Scientific Classification
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Subfamily: Sedoideae
- Genus: Sedum
Care
Sedum clavatum care is simple, but we must first understand the growing habits of the plant and what it expects from us. Being a succulent, it likes to grow in free-draining soil with some compost or organic matter. It can not handle colds well and needs maximum sunlight for optimal growth.
Place it near a south-facing window if you are growing it indoors. If placed outdoors, you can plant it in the cracks of an old wall or hang it in a basket. Gardeners often plant them around big rocks in a themed garden too.
Let us look at its growing habits to know more about this beautiful plant.
– Growing Habits
Sedum succulent grows as a low-height ground cover that branches out and makes offsets from the bottom of the stem. These look like a form of clusters that unfurls outward gradually. It spreads fast in well-drained soil.
It can also be trained to grow over or near a rock, in a container, or hung in a basket.
It is an easy-grow succulent that can tolerate the sun and will adapt to some shade. It will accept moist soils, even when it loves dry soil.
When it comes to water, this plant can tolerate extreme drought-like conditions and thrive on its own for a long time. In short, it needs minimal care.
– Water
When watering the Sedum clavatum, remember to be cautious. This plant can not tolerate overwatering. It is a plant that needs to be entirely moistened in water, but it needs to be dry before watering again. Water frequently between spring to fall and allow it to remain drier during winter.
Remember that the sedums are highly drought-tolerant and will thrive without water even in summers. It doesn’t mean you stop watering them on hot days too. When they receive the right amount of water, they grow bigger and healthier.
If the temperatures are low, there is high humidity, or it is a rainy season, do not water them often.
– Soil
Sedum clavatum, like all succulents and cacti, grows well in a well-draining, porous soil mixture. It allows its roots to stay moist and not wet. The porous texture helps the soil to have more oxygen available for the roots.
Sedums are plants with shallow roots and require quick drainage of water. They like rich organic matter in the soil for optimal growth rate, and occasional fertilization is perfect for these plants. Slow-release plant feed will provide adequate nutrients as the plant grows throughout the growing season.
Things to remember while adding organic matter or fertilizer to the soil:
- Feed the plant only in spring or throughout the growing season.
- Never fertilize during winter.
- Dilute fertilizers before use.
– Ventilation
The Sedum clavatum plant needs to have good air movement or ventilation. This will minimize pest activity and disease risks.
– Temperature
Amazingly, Sedum clavatum plants can tolerate low temperatures of 26 Fahrenheit. The best temperatures for it, however, are between 41 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Interestingly, the foliage colors change and become more intense when the temperatures change in autumn. The display is even better than its summer growth.
– Light
If you are in the cool coastal areas, the Sedum clavatum will prefer full sun. In other locations, it will stay happy in a light shade that has good airflow. Sedums sometimes stretch when they are grown in dim light. To avoid this condition, plant it in brightly lit areas so that this moderately fast-growing plant remains in shape.
When the plant stretches to search for light, it will also lead to weak plants. When you move the plant from a shady area to a sunny one, make sure you water it first to avoid shocking the plant. An Alternative idea is to move it on a cloudy day.
– Facts
In the guide above, we learned about what kind of care the Sedum clavatum needs. Although it is perfect for a beginner plant grower, let us highlight some more important facts for you.
- Flourishes best in an appropriately lit-room
- Should be grown in a garden outdoors for best results
- Highly drought-tolerant
- Can perish fast when overwatered
- Can grow up to 4 inches tall and 8 inches wide
- The best zone is 10a with a minimum temperature of 30 degrees Fahrenheit
- Can not endure the cold
- It grows best during spring and fall
Propagate
In the wild, succulents self propagate through seeds, growing baby plants, or by regrowing from the leaves that touch the ground or fall off. It is a beautiful sight to see nature sustain itself without our intervention.
In urban gardens, we have to take this task into our own hands, which allows us to be close to our plants and to understand them better.
Sedum clavatum is the easiest plant to propagate, and there are two options for this:
- Propagation by seeds
- Propagation by leaves
Let us look at both the methods in detail through our propagation guide:
– Propagation by Seeds
The seed heads of Sedum clavatum will remain on the stems throughout the seasons of summer to fall. If you remove them, the plant will also stop flowering. Gardeners usually allow the seed heads to remain on the plants throughout winter because they look pretty.
To grow Sedum clavatum from seed, you can first pick the seed heads and prepare a potting mixture that is well-draining and sandy. Evenly spread the seeds on the surface and lightly cover them with sand. Water it carefully and keep the soil moist as the seeds turn into seedlings and the plant starts growing.
– Propagation by Leaves
Sedum clavatum is effortlessly propagated by leaf cuttings taken in spring. When the stem becomes leggy, cut the top rosette, leaving a part of the stem on it.
The best time to take cuttings is from April to July. Here is a step-by-step guide for you.
- Pick a healthy leaf.
- Remove the stem from the parent plant by using a sterilized tool.
- Keep the leaf attached to the stem in the open air for a couple of days before planting it in well-draining soil.
- Keep the soil moist and place it in bright light to start rooting.
This plant tends to lose its leaves easily, and this step may fail if that happens. Do not be discouraged, you can try doing it again.
Problems
Sedum clavatum is mostly problem-free, but there can be challenges related to the management of the plants such as:
- Overwatering – can cause root-rot
- Low light – can cause weak plants and stretch
- Overfertilizing – can lead to pale plants
Besides these, aphids can also attack the Sedum clavatum. It can turn into a big problem if the problem is not resolved. Keeping an eye open for this bug can be very useful. Spray water mixed with neem oil to solve this problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Place for Sedum Clavatum To Grow?
Sedum clavatum is an ornamental plant that makes a pot-perfect plant. It grows well even in frost-prone regions and can be a pleasing addition to rock gardens. Plant it between stepping stones or even in wall niches in warmer areas.
Do Sedum Cuttings Root in Water?
A variety of sedum, Autumn joy, is easily propagated through stem cuttings placed in water. Mostly, it is not a recommended method because the succulent likes to remain less in water.
However, some varieties may accept this method of propagation through water.
Are Sedums and Succulents the Same Plants?
Succulents are plants that have fleshy leaves and are highly tolerant of drought, needing less watering. Sedums are also a type of succulent and have similar traits.
How Many Types of Sedum Succulents Are There?
The Sedum genus incorporates over 400 to 500 species.
These are called sedums or stonecrops, and most of them grow as garden plants in urban landscapes.
Is Stonecrop a Sedum?
Yes. It is a type of sedum that is an easy-grow succulent and looks great in summer and autumn gardens. Although some taxonomists have shifted the taller sedums into the genus Hylotelephium, they are still called sedums.
Are Sedum Clavatum Plants Toxic?
No. The plants are not toxic but can make pets like dogs and cats sick. The Sedum clavatum leaves and flowers have a bitter taste, and that’s why children might not want to eat them. To be on the safe side, keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Conclusion
Sedum clavatum is a fantastic plant for urban gardens and suits a beginner grower as it needs less care and thrives outdoors or indoors. Here is a quick overview of our guide above:
- Sedum clavatum is a succulent with fleshy leaves that sometimes changes colors with the season
- There are over 500 varieties of sedum
- The plant is highly drought-tolerant and likes to grow in full to partial sunlight
- It needs good airflow and less water. Airflow helps keep the plant healthy.
- Overwatering kills it, and it is not tolerant of very cold temperatures. The ideal temperature for the plant to thrive is between 41 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit
- Soil needs to be well-draining and porous to assist its shallow roots to grow well
- Sedum clavatum can be propagated from seeds or by leaf cuttings throughout the growing season
- In winters, the plant doesn’t need frequent watering and will not thrive well in low light and high humidity
- The plant can be attacked by aphids, but natural control can manage the problem
- Sedum clavatum plants are non toxic for children
- These plants spread on the ground and work well in rock gardens, hanging plants or simply as potted plants
Sedum clavatum plants are one of the hundreds of wonderful varieties that this plant family has to offer. All of these plants have a highly forgiving nature, so give it the right care and see the plants flourish.
- How Long Do Hibiscus Flowers Last: Ways To Elongate - May 24, 2023
- Aeroponics vs. Hydroponics: Comparison of Two Planting Ways - May 24, 2023
- Monstera Deliciosa Light Requirements: The Ideal Conditions - May 21, 2023
