Plant DetailShow Menu

Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hylotelephium spectabile Sedum spectabile
Sedum makinoi Sedum makinoi
Sedum 'Matrona' Sedum 'Matrona'
Hylotelephium cauticola has some other problems:
White-Tailed Deer

Stonecrop Hylotelephium cauticola

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Sedum cauticola
Phonetic Spelling
hy-loh-te-LEH-fee-um kaw-tih-KOL-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Stonecrop is an herbaceous perennial ground cover with a horizontal, creeping habit. It grows 2 to 4 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide. It is native to Japan and a member of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae). The word cauticola means “growing on cliffs” and refers to the plant’s native habitat. 

It should be grown in full sun to partial shade and in sandy or loamy soil with neutral to alkaline pH. When insufficient sunlight is provided, the plant will produce weak, floppy growth. The soil should have good drainage and be allowed to dry out completely between watering. The plant may be trimmed after flowering to maintain its shape. Stonecrop spreads by underground stolons. Propagate it by division, stem cutting, or seed.  

Stonecrop is suitable for coastal, butterfly, children’s, cottage, rock, and pollinator gardens. Use it as a border or in a mass planting. If you choose to grow it in a container, choose a pot that is unglazed clay or terracotta to avoid water retention, which could cause root rot. Bees, butterflies, moths, and songbirds are attracted to stonecrop. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 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.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#deciduous#poisonous#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#low growing#succulent#fall interest#deer browsing plant#low growing plant#children's garden#herbaceous perennial#playground plant#groundcover#pollinator plant#cactus#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#perennial#herb garden#fall blooms#cold tolerant#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#deciduous#poisonous#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#low growing#succulent#fall interest#deer browsing plant#low growing plant#children's garden#herbaceous perennial#playground plant#groundcover#pollinator plant#cactus#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#perennial#herb garden#fall blooms#cold tolerant#moth friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hylotelephium
    Species:
    cauticola
    Family:
    Crassulaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Container plant
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Textural
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Horizontal
    Mounding
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Small, brown capsules split open to release tiny black seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Fall is the time for its clusters of tiny pale purplish to pink flowers to bloom.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Orbicular
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Bluish grey leaves, heavily spotted with purple.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
    Stem Description:
    This mat forming plant will hae traillig stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Houseplants
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Unknown, but possibly gastrointestinal symptoms
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Alkaloids sedine, sedamine and others
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems