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Sedum acre is often confused with:
Sedum lineare Form in bloom
Native alternative(s) for Sedum acre:
Hypericum tenuifolium Form
Sedum ternatum Sedum ternatum
Stylosanthes biflora Stylosanthes biflora
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude' AUTUMN JOY Sedum spectabile 'Autumn Joy' flower with bee
Hylotelephium sieboldii Hylotelephium sieboldii
Sedum Flowers
Sedum acre has some common insect problems:
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants

Sedum acre

Phonetic Spelling
SEE-dum AY-ker
Description

Moss stonecrop, is a small, hardy, highly salt tolerant plant in the Crassulaceae (succulent) family native to Europe.  In nature, moss stonecrop is often found in sunny situations on limestone hills, rocks, and walls, especially near the sea. The genus name comes from the Latin word sedeo meaning to sit in reference to the habit of many of the sedums species to lounge out and sprawl over rocks.  

The plant has tiny fleshy conical green leaves that overlap eachother giving a scale like appearance.  Delicate star shaped yellow flowers hover above the leaves for most of the summer.  When grown outdoors, site for sun to part sun in well-drained soil. It seldom needs watering, but will grow in moist soils with good drainage.  If growing in a container, use coarse, well-drained soil, preferably a cactus mix.  The leaves tend to fall off easily; however, the fallen leaves can be used to propagate new plants.  

This plant tolerates maritime exposure, rocky and poor soils, and establishes itself quickly. The succulent leaves make it drought and dry soil tolerant and also make it attractive even through the winter months.  This plant is resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits.  

Moss stonecrop is low to the ground, mat forming, and spreads aggressively and can be used for ground cover in a sunny position; although it can overwhelm other plants of similar height.  Grown it as a houseplant with bright direct light from a window or grow light.  This species of Sedum, like many of its genus, tolerates only occasional foot traffic but can still make a suitable lawn alternative to areas with light traffic.  Mass plant it in hot areas, or rock gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious diseases or insect problems, except for occasional slugs and snails. Avoid wet or poorly drained conditions.  It can be weedy and aggressive in some situations.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Octoberfest'
    Creamy white flowers.
'Octoberfest'
Tags:
#evergreen#deciduous#houseplant#low growing#succulent#yellow flowers#salt tolerant#lawn alternative#winter interest#fall interest#rabbit resistant#mass planting#aggressive#deer resistant#children's garden#herbaceous perennial#playground plant#small flowers#groundcover#star shaped flowers#naturalizes#rock garden#pollinator plant#flowers midsummer#poor soils tolerant#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#foot traffic tolerant#butterfly friendly#contact dermatitis#perennial#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Octoberfest'
    Creamy white flowers.
'Octoberfest'
Tags:
#evergreen#deciduous#houseplant#low growing#succulent#yellow flowers#salt tolerant#lawn alternative#winter interest#fall interest#rabbit resistant#mass planting#aggressive#deer resistant#children's garden#herbaceous perennial#playground plant#small flowers#groundcover#star shaped flowers#naturalizes#rock garden#pollinator plant#flowers midsummer#poor soils tolerant#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#foot traffic tolerant#butterfly friendly#contact dermatitis#perennial#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Sedum
    Species:
    acre
    Family:
    Crassulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Leaf Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Greenland, Eastern Europe to Mediterranean, Balkans and Caucasus
    Distribution:
    Britain, Canada, Eastern United States south to Carolina, upper mid-West, and Northwest.
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Textural
    Edibility:
    Stems and leaves can be eaten, but when ingested in large quantities, can cause stomach upset.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Succulent
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Dense
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small, terminal clusters of tiny, star-shaped, five-petaled, yellow flowers (each to 1/2 inch across) bloom in flat terminal cymes just above the foliage June to August.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Thick cover of blunt, conical, pale green leaves (each to only 1/4 inch long) overlapping eachother along the stem.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Description:
    low, thick stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Recreational Play Area
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Foot Traffic
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits
    Salt
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Weedy