Sedum Nussbaumerianum Care InfographicSedum Nussbaumerianum or Coppertone Sedum is a great succulent to add to the garden as a ground cover. It has beautiful copperish-red leaves in bright sunlight that make it popular among succulent lovers. Sedum Nussbaumerianum is an evergreen succulent variety with copper-toned leaves in bright sunlight, being native to the South American country Mexico.
Learn all about its growth requirements from our care guide.
What Is Sedum Nussbaumerianum?
The Sedum Nussbaumerianum belongs to the Crassula or Stonecrop family, called Coppertone Sedum or Coppertone Stonecrop, Sedum Adolphii, Nussbaumer’s Sedum, Golden Seum, Sedum Nussbaumerianum Coppertone and Coppertone Stonecrop. It was First discovered in 1906, named in 1923 after Ernst Nussbaumer, the head gardener at Bremen Botanic Garden, Mexico.
Sedum Nussbaumerianum Care
Care for Sedum Nussbaumerianum is similar to most other succulents. It is an easy-to-grow succulent with minimum care requirements. Read all about its growth requirements below.
– Water Requirements
Like other succulent varieties, Sedum Nussbaumerianum needs to be watered at significant gaps when the soil has dried up, note that it has very low water requirements and is drought-tolerant. Pay attention to how your succulent looks to adjust the watering schedule.
It needs sufficient water but not too much as it cannot tolerate wet and soggy soil conditions for longer periods. Before watering, make sure that the top one to two inches of the soil is dry.
In the summer months, water every seven to ten days and reduce the watering frequency to once every 10 to 14 days as the weather gets colder. These numbers are rough estimates and not fixed, hence you can change them according to the conditions in your home.
Use the ‘soak and dry’ method to water Sedum Nussbaumerianum and allow the soil mix to dry out completely in between two watering sessions. Remember, not to let the soil remain soggy for too long as it will lead to root rot and other fungal diseases.
This method works well for almost all succulent varieties. Succulents are naturally made to live in dry soil conditions and low humidity, that’s why using the soak and dry method is a foolproof way to avoid problems related to overwatering.
You can use the finger test by inserting your finger to the second knuckle and if it feels dry, water the plant thoroughly, but if the soil sticks to your finger, hold back on watering and check again after a few days.
– Light Requirements
The Coppertone Sedum prefers full sun to light shade to grow well, as it is best grown outdoors and if you grow indoors, its leaves will lose their copper shade. The higher the intensity of sunlight, the more reddish the leaves will be.
Sedums grow well in natural light in bright and warm spots, hence try to keep them in places where they can receive lots of bright sunlight and warmth. Do not keep your succulent indoors for more than three months as it will lose the copper shade and will not grow healthily.
Ideally, Sedum Nussbaumerianum does well when kept in a bright spot outdoors, however, if you are planning to grow it indoors, keep the succulent near an east-facing window where it can receive lots of light.
You can also grow it near a south or west-facing window but try to provide curtain-filtered sunlight if it gets too strong. Nonetheless, if your plant begins to get leggy and seems stretched out, it means that it is not receiving enough sunlight.
Move your plant to a brighter spot if it gets long and leggy. Generally, Sedum Nussbaumerianum needs four to six hours of direct sunlight to be happy. Moreover, if your indoor space does not receive adequate sunlight, grow the succulent under grow lights. Grow lights work well in winters when the plant does not receive enough sunlight.
Succulent Kept Outdoors
Provide your succulent with part shade to full sun if you are growing it outdoors. If you want bright colorful leaves, keep the plant in bright sunlight. The copperish-red color intensifies with increased sunlight.
Do not straightaway keep the succulent in direct sunlight, hence expose it to both the early morning and the evening sunlight before it acclimatizes to intense afternoon sunlight. In shaded conditions, the leaves turn green and in sunlight, they begin to turn orange.
In extremely hot summers with intense sunlight, the succulent is prone to sunburn. Protect it by moving it to a shaded spot or using sunshades to cover them.
Soil Requirements
Sedum Nussbaumerianum is not a high-maintenance succulent when it comes to its soil mix. It grows well on average, with well-draining soil with some sand and perlite for drainage. It does not require large pots and thrives in an average succulent-like soil mix.
`Use a cactus potting soil mixed with perlite or charcoal for drainage in the ratio 2:1. If you live in a tropical area that receives high rainfall, make a sandy soil mix by adding some sand to the cactus potting soil.
You can combine cactus mix, perlite and sand depending on the weather conditions in your area. Sand is optional to add in dry and warm areas. Perlite is enough for drainage. You can also use readily available succulent soil mixes.
Always choose a terracotta or clay pot to grow succulents such as the Coppertone Sedum. It helps in absorbing the excess moisture from the soil, thereby avoiding the problems related to overwatering.
Avoid using plastic, metal, and ceramic pots as they do not absorb moisture from the soil. In plastic pots, if you happen to overwater your plant mistakenly, it might get root rot or fungal diseases.
– Temperature Requirements:
Sedum Nussbaumerianum is a heat-tolerant plant but not a cold-hardy plant. Although it can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures for some time, we would recommend you to move the plant to a warmer spot for best growth results. It grows well in the temperature range of 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sedum Nussbaumerianum is a summer dormant succulent. It does not show much growth in harsh summers. In case of extreme winters, grow your succulents indoors. Protect the plants from frost and freezing temperatures by using a frost cloth and mini greenhouse.
Sedum Nussbaumerianum is mildly frost-tolerant. It can tolerate frosts for some time but in case of extended periods, shift the succulent to a warm, covered spot away from cold. When the temperatures fall below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, it is better to bring these succulents indoors.
Once the weather starts to warm up, you can move the succulent back outside in bright light. If you follow these steps in the winter months, you can protect your plant from the cold winters.
– Humidity Requirements
Like other succulent varieties, Sedum Nussbaumerianum too does not have very high humidity requirements. Anything between 40 and 60 percent is good enough for its growth. They prefer a dry environment with moderate temperatures.
The Coppertone Sedum is susceptible to fungal diseases if kept in high humidity conditions for too long. In tropical environments, keep the plant away from rain and shift it indoors during the rainy season.
– Fertilizer Requirements:
Sedum Nussbaumerianum does not need too much fertilizer. Like other succulents, it only needs to be fertilized once or twice a year in spring and fall. Fertilize it with a weak, diluted fertilizer in spring or early summer during the phase of active growth.
Use half-strength fertilizers because too much or strong fertilizers can burn Sedum leaves. Remember to never fertilize your Coppertone Sedum when it is wet because it causes the leaves to rot.
– Pruning the Coppertone Sedum
Sedum Nussbaumerianum does not need frequent pruning too.
Remove the dead leaves and old flowers as and when required. This helps in keeping the plant healthy, lastly pluck the dead parts as soon as you see them turning brown.
Propagation
Coppertone Stonecrop is very easy to propagate and requires minimum care. You can propagate Sedum Nussbaumerianum from seeds, leaf cuttings, and stem cuttings; however, the easiest and quickest method is through stem cuttings as it has a higher success rate than the other methods.
– Propagation by Leaves
Choose a healthy-looking, firm leaf. Remove the leaf by gently twisting it from the stem. Make sure that you remove the entire leaf without leaving any part of it on the stem. Allow the leaf to callus over a few days and place it on well-draining soil after it callouses.
Water when the soil dries out. Once you spot tiny roots, rosettes forming and the mother leaf wading away, plant the growth in soil.
– Propagation by Cuttings
Using a sharp, clean knife, take a cutting from Sedum Nussbaumerianum. Keep the cutting in a dry, shaded place and allow it to dry and callous for two to three days. After two to three days, plant the cutting in a well-draining soil mix.
It takes four to six weeks for the cuttings to root. It is optional to dip the cutting in a rooting hormone. Once the cutting has rooted properly, plant it by putting in the roots inside the soil mix. Reduce the watering frequency as the plant matures.
Keep the succulent away from direct sunlight for a few days and water it whenever the soil feels dry. After one or two weeks, you will see new roots growing and after six to seven weeks, the cuttings will root fully. You will also see new growth developing from the top and sides.
– Propagation by Seeds
Propagating Sedum Nussbaumerianum by seeds is not too common, moreover, you can grow it by seeds outdoors in warm weather. In case the temperatures are low, start the seeds indoors under grow lights, make sure you sow the seeds in rich and airy soil.
After germination, move the seedlings to larger pots with more space for growth, keep the seedlings in moderate temperatures until maturity. After reaching maturity, keep them in bright light conditions.
Repotting
The Coppertone Sedum does not require frequent repotting. Transplant Sedum Nussbaumerianum in a new soil mixture every few years so that the plant also gets fresh soil rich in nutrients. The ideal time to repot the Stonecrop Sedum is early spring when new growth begins to appear.
Before replanting the succulents in a new container and soil mix, check the roots and other parts of the plant for any damage. Remove the dead and blackened roots and leaves to prevent problems like fungus and rot.
Choose a pot with drainage holes at the bottom and make a thin layer of pebbles at the bottom, then fill the remaining pot with a well-draining soil mix. Place the succulents in the middle of the soil and cover the roots with more soil. Water the plant thoroughly to squeeze out all the air pockets.
Problems
Sedum Nussbaumerianum is an easy succulent but all it demands from your side is a little bit of attention and patience. Keep an eye out for some common succulent problems and your Sedum will be happy.
Let us take a look at some problems that a Sedum might face.
– Stretched Out Sedum Nussbaumerianum
Lack of sunlight is a major cause of your succulent stretching out and becoming leggy. Inadequate sunlight initially makes the leaves lose color and over time shows leggy growth. This process of stretching out is called etiolation.
To overcome the problem, move your succulent to a brighter spot where it receives bright sunlight during the day. The green leaves will turn orange once the plant is kept in bright light.
– Overwatering
Overwatering is one of the most common causes of root rot and death in Sedum Nussbaumerianum. All succulents including the Coppertone Stonecrop are susceptible to rot because of soggy soil conditions and overwatering.
To prevent the problem, always use a well-draining and airy soil mix that has a good amount of perlite for drainage. Water the plant only when the top two to three inches of the soil have completely dried up.
If you notice your plant getting leggy and some of its leaves getting mushy, check the soil, however, if the soil is constantly moist without getting dry in between the waterings, the plant will rot. To solve the problem, remove the plant from the pot, change the soil mix and plant it in a new cactus potting mix.
– Pests and Diseases
Sedum Nussbaumerianum rarely gets affected by pests such as aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and slugs.
Additionally, if it does get any of the pests, treat your plant with insecticidal soap or the usual soap water.
– Foliage
Sedum Nussbaumerianum has light green and orange leaves that turn into a copper shade in sunlight, giving it the name Coppertone Sedum. The long and thick leaves are pointed at the tips.
Sometimes in bright light, it will turn a bright copper color and as it gets in partial shade, it will be greener on the inside and the copper-orange color will remain on the leaf edges.
In the initial stages, the leaves are yellowish-green. When kept in bright sunlight, they turn red with a copper tone along the edges, and as the plant is watered properly, the leaves will be plump and long. Moreover, the leaf colors range from yellow to copper depending on the light it receives.
FAQ
Here are some commonly asked questions about Sedum Nussbaumerianum.
– What is the Size of Sedum Nussbaumerianum
Sedum Nussbaumerianum has reddish-brown stems. The plant can grow up to eight inches tall depending on the area and the amount of care it receives. The brown rosettes can grow three to eight inches tall, moreover, as time passes the succulent becomes a low-growing shrub becoming two to three feet wide.
It is a compact plant and eventually converts into ground cover. Each low-growing perennial succulent can spread up to three feet wide. When planted in pots, the stems spread and sprawl out of the pot when they are mature.
– Does the Sedum Nussbaumerianum Bloom Flowers?
Sedum Nussbaumerianum has small, white, star-shaped, lightly fragrant flowers, producing round clustered flowers from spring to fall. The succulent does not bloom every year but small clusters appear in temperatures ranging between 35 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you want to witness flowering on Sedum Nussbaumerianum, keep the plant in low temperatures from 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Overwintering in a cool spot encourages flowering in the succulent.
– Is Sedum Nussbaumerianum toxic?
Sedum Nussbaumerianum is non-toxic to humans and animals, however, we would still recommend keeping the plant away from your pets and children. Nonetheless, wear gloves while handling the Sedum as it can cause slight irritation to the skin from its tiny prickles on the leaves.
– How often do you water Coppertone sedum?
The frequency of watering Coppertone Sedum depends on the weather conditions in your area. Water it every few days when the top one to two inches of the soil have dried.
– Can I Grow Sedum Nussbaumerianum indoors?
Sedum Nussbaumerianum can be grown both indoors and outdoors. You just need to provide it with the right soil mix and an appropriate amount of sunlight. In too little light, the succulent will not produce bright and colorful leaves and harsh sunlight can cause burns.
The ideal location is anywhere the succulent can receive bright light throughout the day. Light sunlight in the morning and evening works well for its growth, additionally, we do not recommend keeping it indoors for longer periods as the leaves turn green and it does not look too attractive.
– Can Sedum Nussbaumerianum survive winter?
Sedum Nussbaumerianum is a hardy succulent and can survive mild winters. In case of harsh winters, we would recommend you to bring it indoors to a warm spot where it can receive bright light throughout the day.
These succulents do not show much new growth during the winter months. Hence, it is better to forget about them, prune them in early spring to encourage new, healthy growth.
– Does Sedum Nussbaumerianum spread quickly?
Sedum Nussbaumerianum increases in square footage. It grows more horizontally and not vertically. As a low-growing succulent, it spreads quickly and can grow up to two to three feet wide. It also helps in keeping the weeds away.
Conclusion
Sedum Nussbaumerianum is great for rock gardens and container gardening. If you are looking for a vibrant ground cover, go for Coppertone Sedum.
Let us take a look at some important points we need to remember before growing this beauty.
- Sedum Nussbaumerianum is a hardy succulent loved for its orange leaves with a copper tinge, the care requirements are quite similar to other succulent varieties and are very low-maintenance.
- It needs direct sunlight to light shade to grow well. This succulent is drought-tolerant and needs to be watered only when the top few inches of the soil dry out.
- Use a loose and well-draining soil mix to grow this succulent as it thrives in sandy, cacti-type soil mix. It thrives in moderate to high temperatures and cannot tolerate freezing temperatures for too long. Keep the plant in temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Protect the plant from a sudden drop in temperatures by shifting it to a warm spot indoors. Fertilize it once or twice a year with a diluted fertilizer and avoid over-fertilizing.
- It does not need frequent repotting. Repot it in early spring to replace the old soil mix. It can be propagated by leaves, stem cuttings, and seeds. Some common problems faced by it include overwatering, stretching out, pests and diseases.
Sedum Nussbaumerianum just needs a little bit of care and patience and now that you know all about this pretty and hardy succulent, we hope you will get one of it for yourself!
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