Stonecrop Hylotelephium cauticola
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Stonecrop:
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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
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
- 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
- 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
