20 sedum varieties for groundcover, borders, and containers

Sedum, or stonecrop, is a large group of succulent perennials that thrive in sun and fast-draining soil. Most garden types fall into two groups. Low, spreading groundcovers like ‘Angelina’, ‘John Creech’, and white stonecrop grow 2 to 6 inches tall. Upright border sedums like ‘Autumn Joy’ and ‘Purple Emperor’ reach 1½ to 2 feet and bloom in late summer and fall. Many are hardy to USDA zone 3 or 4, while burro’s tail and jelly bean plant are frost-tender houseplants.

Pick a creeping sedum for rock gardens, green roofs, walls, and gaps between pavers, and an upright Hylotelephium type for late color in a sunny border. For shade, try woodland stonecrop, Sedum ternatum, which grows in deep shade. For containers you bring indoors, choose burro’s tail or jelly bean plant.

Sedum plants come in a huge range of colors, shapes, and sizes. Here are 20 popular sedum varieties to try in your rock garden or container planter.

Botanical note: Sedum plants tend to be low-growing perennials that are often tolerant of dry soil conditions. Many types are evergreen in mild climates. While some plants formerly classified as Sedum are now classified as Hylotelephium, most are still commonly referred to as types of Sedum.

Hardiness zones and heights below follow the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox species profiles unless another source is named. Cultivars can vary a little from the species.

1. ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum

Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’) is one of the most popular Sedum varieties. This type of Sedum produces masses of pink flowers that bloom in September-October. ‘Autumn Joy’ is a German introduction hardy in zones 3 to 9, according to Missouri Botanical Garden. Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’) is also called Autumn Joy Stonecrop or Herbstfreude Stonecrop.

‘Autumn Joy’ grows best in full sun, meaning 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. They thrive in well-drained soil and are tolerant of nutrient-poor soils. It is an upright sedum that grows 1½ to 2 feet tall and wide, per Missouri Botanical Garden. Read more about Autumn Joy Sedum. Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’) received the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993. Its flowers draw bees and butterflies in early fall.

2. ‘Angelina’ sedum

Angelina Sedum (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’) is a popular Sedum cultivar with yellow flowers that bloom in June-August. Sedum rupestre is native to Europe and Turkey and is hardy in zones 5 to 9, per NC State Extension. Sedum rupestre is also called Rocky Stonecrop or Reflexed Stonecrop. ‘Angelina’ Sedum is a specific cultivar known for its attractive pointed yellow leaves which can bring a bright pop of color to rock gardens and xeriscaped areas in mid to late summer.

‘Angelina’ grows best in full sun but takes some part shade. It is drought tolerant once established, though it needs occasional water in very dry climates. The species grows 4 to 6 inches tall.

3. Sedum ternatum

Sedum Ternatum is a Sedum species with white flowers that bloom in April-May. It is native to southeastern Canada and the eastern United States and is hardy in zones 3 to 9, per NC State Extension. Sedum ternatum is also called Wild Stonecrop, Woodland Stonecrop, and Three-Leaved Stonecrop.

Sedum ternatum is one of the few sedums that grows in shade. NC State Extension lists it for deep shade through full sun, and it needs more moisture in sunny spots. Plants grow 3 to 6 inches tall.

4. Sedum kamtschaticum

Sedum Kamtschaticum is a Sedum species with yellow-orange flowers that bloom in June-August. Sedum kamtschaticum (also called Phedimus kamtschaticus) is native to Russia, China, Japan, and Korea and is hardy in zones 3 to 9, per NC State Extension. Sedum kamtschaticum is also called Orange Stonecrop, Russian Stonecrop, or Kamchatka Stonecrop. There are several popular cultivars, including ‘Variegatum’ and ‘Weihenstephaner Gold’ (several of which have received the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993).

Sedum kamtschaticum is a sun-loving and cold-tolerant Sedum species. It grows in dry soil but does require some moisture to thrive. Plants grow 3 to 7 inches tall, with clusters of flowers perched just atop the leaves.

5. ‘Blue Spruce’ sedum

Blue Spruce Sedum (Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’) is a Sedum cultivar with yellow flowers that typically bloom in June-July. Sedum reflexum, now usually listed as Sedum rupestre, is native to Europe and Turkey and is hardy in zones 5 to 9, per NC State Extension. Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’ is also called Blue Spruce Stonecrop or Blue Spruce Sedum. This cultivar is named for its needle-like foliage which resembles a Blue Spruce tree.

‘Blue Spruce’ grows best in full sun and is quite drought tolerant once established. Plants grow about 4 to 6 inches tall, with flower stems rising above the foliage.

6. ‘John Creech’ sedum

John Creech Sedum (Sedum spurium ‘John Creech’) is a cultivar of S. spurium with pink-lavender flowers that bloom in August-September. Sedum spurium is native from northeastern Turkey to northern Iran and is hardy in zones 3 to 9, per NC State Extension. ‘John Creech’ Sedum is a selected cultivar known for its attractive succulent leaves and soft pink-purple flowers. The variety is named for collector Dr. John Creech, who was the director of the U.S. National Arboretum from 1973-1980.

John Creech Sedum is a sun-loving type of Sedum that grows best in locations with more than 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. This drought-tolerant variety is tolerant of sandy soils and soils with low levels of nutrients. John Creech Sedum is a particularly low-growing variety, with established plants growing only 2 to 6 inches tall.

7. Sedum album

Sedum Album is a Sedum species with white flowers that bloom in June-August. Sedum album is native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, and is hardy in zones 3 to 9, per NC State Extension. Sedum album is commonly called White Stonecrop or White Sedum.

Sedum Album grows best in sunny growing locations. Like many other Sedums, this type is drought-tolerant once established (and also tolerant of sandy and even gravelly soils). Plants grow 3 to 6 inches high.

8. ‘Coral Reef’ sedum

Coral Reef Sedum (Sedum tetractinum ‘Coral Reef’) is a Sedum cultivar with green leaves and soft-pink flowers that bloom in July-August. Sedum tetractinum is native to China and is sometimes called Chinese Sedum. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8, per NC State Extension.

Coral Reef Sedum is tolerant of hot, sunny spots in the garden. It can also be grown in light shade, as long as plenty of bright indirect light is available. NC State Extension notes the species matures at about 3 inches tall with a foot-wide spread.

9. Sedum stenopetalum

Sedum Stenopetalum is a species of Sedum with yellow flowers that bloom in June-July. Sedum stenopetalum is native to western North America, from British Columbia and Alberta south to California, according to Kew Plants of the World Online. Sedum stenopetalum is also called Wormleaf Stonecrop or Golden Constellation (after its masses of yellow flowers).

Sedum Stenopetalum is tolerant of gravelly soil and hot planting locations. Once established, this plant is very drought-tolerant. Plants typically grow 2 to 11 inches tall.

10. ‘Purple Emperor’ sedum

Purple Emperor Sedum (Sedum telephium ‘Purple Emperor’ or Hylotelephium telephium ‘Purple Emperor’) is a purple-leaved sedum with pink-purple flowers that bloom in July-September. Hylotelephium telephium is native to Europe, Russia, and northern China and is hardy in zones 3 to 9, per NC State Extension. Hylotelephium telephium is sometimes called Orpine. This selected cultivar received the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 2006.

Purple Emperor Sedum grows best in full sun but can tolerate light shade if adequate indirect light is available. The rich burgundy color tends to develop its richest hues in full sun planting locations. This plant grows best in well-drained soils that aren’t overly rich in nutrients. ‘Purple Emperor’ typically grows 18 to 24 inches tall.

11. ‘Ogon’ sedum

Ogon Sedum (Sedum makinoi ‘Ogon’) is a cultivar of Sedum with yellow-green foliage and flowers that bloom in August-September. Sedum makinoi is sometimes called Japanese Stonecrop or Golden Japanese Stonecrop and is hardy in zones 6 to 10, per NC State Extension.

Ogon Sedum is a versatile type that can be grown in full sun to partial shade. This type of sedum is more prone to sunburn than some other types and generally grows best with some afternoon shade in climates with the particularly harsh summer sun. ‘Ogon’ is very low-growing, reaching only 2 to 4 inches tall.

12. ‘Fuldaglut’ sedum

Fuldaglut Sedum (Sedum spurium ‘Fuldaglut’) is a cultivar of S. spurium with red flowers that bloom in August-September. Sedum spurium is native from northeastern Turkey to northern Iran and is hardy in zones 3 to 9, per NC State Extension. ‘Fuldaglut’ Sedum is a selected cultivar known for its maroon-colored leaves and ruby-red blooms. Fuldaglut Sedum is sometimes called Crimson Stonecrop.

Fuldaglut Sedum is a sun-loving type of Sedum that grows best in locations with more than 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. This low-maintenance plant thrives in dry, well-drained soils once established (although some watering is required in particularly dry gardens). ‘Fuldaglut’ is low-growing, reaching about 2 to 6 inches tall like the species.

13. Sedum ewersii

Sedum Ewersii (Hylotelephium ewersii) is a stonecrop species with pink flowers that blooms in August-September. Hylotelephium ewersii is native to Asia and is hardy to zone 4, per Denver Botanic Gardens. Sedum Ewersii is also called Mongolian Stonecrop or Pink Mongolian Stonecrop.

Sedum Ewersii is versatile, and can be grown in full sun to partial shade. This type is drought-tolerant and tolerant of nutrient-poor soil. Plants typically reach 4 to 6 inches tall.

14. ‘Murale’ sedum

Sedum Murale (Sedum album subsp. teretifolium ‘Murale’) is a cultivar of White Stonecrop that tends to grow shorter than other white-flowering varieties. Like other white stonecrops, it is hardy in zones 3 to 9.

Sedum Murale grows best in full sun planting locations with soil that drains easily. This variety grows to about 3 inches tall, making it a gorgeous flowering groundcover plant option.

15. ‘Lidakense’ sedum

Lidakense Sedum (Sedum cauticola ‘Lidakense’ or Hylotelephium cauticola ‘Lidakense’) is a Sedum variety with pink flowers that bloom in August-September. Hylotelephium cauticola is native to Japan, and is hardy in zones 4 to 9, per NC State Extension. Lidakense Stonecrop is also called Pink Stonecrop or Cliff Stonecrop.

Lidakense Sedum is very versatile and can be grown in hot and dry locations or in partially shaded spots. This easy-care plant has very low water requirements for such a beautiful flowering plant. Plants grow 2 to 4 inches tall. Sedum cauticola ‘Lidakense’ received the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 2006.

16. Hylotelephium sieboldii

Hylotelephium Sieboldii is a stonecrop species with bright pink flowers that bloom in August-October. Native to Japan, it is hardy in zones 3 to 9, per NC State Extension. Hylotelephium sieboldii (formerly Sedum sieboldii) is also called October Stonecrop, Siebold’s Stonecrop, or October Daphne.

Hylotelephium sieboldii grows best in full-sun locations with well-drained soil. The plant grows 6 to 9 inches tall, but is also commonly grown as a trailing container plant. The cultivar ‘Misebaya-nakafu’ received the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

17. Sedum divergens

Sedum Divergens is a type of Sedum with bright yellow flowers that bloom in June-July. Sedum divergens is native to the Pacific Northwest, where it grows on open, rocky ground on both sides of the Cascades, according to the Washington Native Plant Society. Sedum divergens is also called Pacific Stonecrop and Cascade Stonecrop.

Sedum divergens can be grown in full sun to partial shade (although it flowers best in full sun locations). This plant is particularly tolerant of nutrient-poor soils. Established plants grow 2 to 6 inches tall.

18. ‘Rose Carpet’ sedum

Rose Carpet Sedum (Sedum ewersii var. homophyllum ‘Rose Carpet’ or Hylotelephium ewersii ‘Rose Carpet’) is a Sedum variety with bright pink flowers that bloom in August-September. The species is native to Asia and is hardy to about zone 4.

Rose Carpet Sedum grows best in full sun planting locations with well-drained soil. Established ‘Rose Carpet’ plants grow 4 to 6 inches tall, making this an excellent colorful ground cover option.

19. ‘Burrito’ sedum

Burrito Sedum (Sedum morganianum ‘Burrito’) is a Sedum variety grown mainly for its fleshy blue-green leaves. Sedum morganianum is native to Mexico and is hardy only in zones 10 and 11, per NC State Extension. Elsewhere it is grown as a houseplant. Burrito Sedum is also called Donkey’s Tail Sedum or Burro’s Tail Sedum. The ‘Burrito’ cultivar has more rounded leaves than wild specimens.

Burro’s tail is drought tolerant and does well at mild indoor temperatures. Like most succulents, it rots if overwatered, so plant it in fast-draining soil. The stems trail rather than grow upright and can eventually reach several feet long.

Sedum morganianum received the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

20. ‘Brown Bean’ sedum

Brown Bean Sedum (Sedum rubrotinctum ‘Brown Bean’) is a Sedum variety grown mainly for its ornamental green-red foliage. Sedum rubrotinctum is native to Mexico and is frost-tender. It is commonly grown as an outdoor annual or as an indoor houseplant in cooler zones. Brown Bean Sedum is also called Jelly Bean Plant or Pork And Beans Plant due to its fleshy succulent leaves.

Brown Bean Sedum is drought-tolerant and its soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Full sun planting locations and light exposure will help the foliage to develop its characteristic red hue (which protects the fleshy leaves from harsh sunlight). Plants tend to reach 4 to 6 inches high with sprawling stems.

Sedum varieties FAQ

What is the most cold-hardy sedum?

Several common sedums are hardy to USDA zone 3, including white stonecrop, Sedum spurium, Sedum kamtschaticum, and woodland stonecrop, according to NC State Extension.

Which sedum grows in shade?

Woodland stonecrop, Sedum ternatum, is native to eastern North America and NC State Extension lists it for deep shade through full sun.

What is the difference between Sedum and Hylotelephium?

Hylotelephium is the newer genus name for the taller, upright stonecrops such as ‘Autumn Joy’ and ‘Purple Emperor’. Most gardeners and nurseries still call them sedums.

How tall does ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum get?

About 1½ to 2 feet tall and wide, per Missouri Botanical Garden. It blooms in September and October and is hardy in zones 3 to 9.

Can sedum grow indoors?

Frost-tender types like burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) and jelly bean plant (Sedum rubrotinctum) make good houseplants in a bright window with fast-draining soil.