Hylotelephium cauticola

The word cauticola 'growing on cliffs' refers to the plants preferred habitat.  A Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit winner, Hylotelephium cauticola is a succulent perennial herb with fleshy, flat or rounded leaves, greenish blue-gray in color.  Its flowers are 4-5-parted, yellow, white, or red.

This mat forming plant should be grown in full sun.  When insufficient sunlight is provided, the plant will produce weak, floppy growth.  The soil should be allowed to dry out completely between watering.  Growing in pots or containers is ideal.  When grown in plastic containers rather than unglazed clay or terracotta, the soil may not dry out sufficiently enough to avoid root rot.  Avoid heavy clay soils, as water retention by the soil can also cause root rot.  

A succulent perennial herb that can be found growing in forests or natural areas as a native plant.  It is also used as a houseplant or interiorscape or in the landscape as a herbaceous perennial.

This plant will spread by underground stolons. This low maintenance plant can be trimmed after flowering to maintain its shape.  

It causes low toxicity if eaten.  However, the stems and leaves, when very young and tender may be eaten raw.  Later, until they flower, they may be briefly cooked.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues, Slugs, snails, mealybugs, vine weevil and root rot can be found.  

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

More information on Hylotelephium.