When to plant sedum
Plant sedum from the last spring frost to 3 weeks after it in spring, or 6–8 weeks before the first fall frost for a fall crop. That works out to zone 5b (early May to late May), zone 7a (mid April to early May) and zone 9a (early March to late March).
Sedum planting dates by zone
| Zone | Spring | Fall |
|---|---|---|
| 4a | May 15 – Jun 5 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| 4b | May 13 – Jun 3 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| 5a | May 11 – Jun 1 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| 5b | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| 6a | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| 6b | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| 7a | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| 7b | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| 8a | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| 8b | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| 9a | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Oct 1 – Oct 15 |
| 9b | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Oct 15 – Oct 29 |
How to plant sedum
| Plant as | transplants |
|---|---|
| Depth | Same depth as the pot |
| Spacing | 12–24 in |
| Light | Full sun |
| Time to bloom | 1–2 years |
| Hardiness | Perennial in zones 3–9 |
Sedum needs sharp drainage and little water.
Stem cuttings root almost anywhere.
Pinch upright types in early summer to prevent flopping.
Low, creeping sedums suit walls, rock gardens and green roofs; tall upright types such as 'Autumn Joy' anchor late-season borders.
Pieces broken off almost any sedum root within days when laid on moist soil, so one plant quickly becomes many.
Feeding and rich soil make upright sedums split open in the center; lean, gritty soil keeps them compact.
Varieties worth trying: 'Autumn Joy' (pink heads that age to rust), 'Matrona' (purple stems), 'Angelina' (gold groundcover) and 'Dragon's Blood' (red-leaved creeper).
Upright sedum flower heads are packed with nectar in late summer, when few other plants feed bees and butterflies.
In pots, use cactus mix and a container with a drainage hole; sedum rots in standing water faster than it suffers from drought.
When to expect flowers from sedum
Upright sedums bloom late summer to fall; leave dry heads for winter interest.
Exact dates for your town: planting calendar · frost dates by state.
More flowers to plant
Begonias · Coleus · Marigolds · Zinnias · Sunflowers · Cosmos · Mums · Lantana