Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Lime twister sedum, also known as sedum sunsparkler lime twister, has greenish-gray stems and bluish-green leaves that are silvery-white underneath. It’s fragrant when you brush against the leaves (think eucalyptus scent), but it’s mild and not too overpowering. It blooms in spring with very tiny yellow flowers that attract butterflies to your garden.
This hardy perennial is known for its lime-green foliage and low, carpeting growth habit. The plant has soft, jagged leaves that feel like coarse sandpaper. This unique quality can make it an attractive ground cover in shaded or shady areas of your garden.
Sunsparkler lime twister sedum is part of the Sedum family and grows to be about 6 inches tall and up to 2 feet wide. These plants are frost-tolerant, low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and have colorful foliage that blooms from spring through fall.
They thrive in full sun and enjoy well-drained soil with lots of organic matter. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continued flowering and prune back any unwanted growth regularly to help the plant stay healthy.
The lime twister sedum has soft green leaves that rise upward and curl at the ends and lime-green blooms in spring. This plant tolerates drought well and prefers full sun but will also tolerate partial shade as long as it’s not extremely hot.
Origin and distribution
Sunsparkler lime twister is native to eastern North America, ranging from Quebec and New York south to Georgia and Alabama. In the wild, it can be found growing on wooded slopes, bluffs, woodlands, and prairies. It’s also cultivated as an ornamental in gardens throughout its range.
The plant was first described by botanist George Engelmann in 1848. It was named for a German horticulturist named Johann Georg Meckel who introduced it into cultivation in Germany during that same year.
In addition to its attractive foliage, Lime twister sedum is known for its profuse blooms of tiny white flowers in late spring and early summer. It’s also valued as a groundcover that thrives in shade and requires little care once established.
The plant will grow in full or partial sunlight but will do best with at least half a day of direct sunlight each day. It prefers moist, well-drained soil but can tolerate drought conditions once it’s established. It grows best at temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit but can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees if provided with adequate moisture.
Lime twister sedum propagation
Start by cutting off a stem and sticking it in a glass of water. It should root very quickly. Once you have several rooted stems, transplant them into pots to grow on. Keep them outside so they get enough sun, and be careful not to overwater them; as succulents, they need just enough water to stay alive.
Lime twister sedum can survive very low temperatures for short periods of time but will die if left out in freezing weather for long. Eventually, your plants will flower, at which point you’ll know they’re ready to be separated from their parent plant.
Simply dig up one of your sedums and cut it apart with a knife or scissors—you’ll notice that each branch is actually a separate plant connected at its base. Be sure to keep each branch in some soil after you separate it from its parent plant—this way, each branch has a chance to continue growing roots.
You may want to mark your branches with a sharpie so you don’t lose track of which are yours! As an added bonus, lime twisters make great houseplants because they look good both indoors and out.
If all goes well, within a few months you should have multiple lime twisters sprouting all over your yard!
Lime twister sedum care information
This herbaceous perennial is grown for its colorful foliage, which turns bright red in autumn. Full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil is preferred by Lime twister sedum.
Sow seeds indoors in late winter or outdoors after frost danger has passed. Space plants 6 to 12 inches apart in full sun to part shade. Plants can be divided every 2 to 3 years or propagated from cuttings taken in spring or summer, also spaced 6 to 12 inches apart.
Light requirement
Lime twister sedum prefers full sun to light shade. Look for at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. The variety name Sunsparkler is derived from its sun-loving nature, which makes it a great choice for full-sun gardens in hot climates where most other plants would wither and die. Too much shade can lead to leggy growth and not enough flowering.
Soil/potting mix
Before planting, you need to prepare a home for your new succulent. The potting mix should be very well-draining and fast-draining. An easy, inexpensive option is to use a combination of half sand and half perlite (make sure it’s not soilless!).
If you can’t find perlite at your local nursery or garden center, you can also add in some expanded shale or gravel. These materials will help with drainage and aeration. You want something that looks like soil but doesn’t stick to your hands when you squeeze it.
Use about 1 part soil/potting mix to 2 parts water by volume when watering your plants from now on. I recommend using filtered water if possible as chlorine and other chemicals can harm succulents over time.
Watering
Water Lime twister sedum regularly in containers. For best results, water when the potting mix is dry to a depth of 1-2 inches. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry before watering again, especially during hot weather or when your plant is under strong light or high wind conditions.
Plants may be watered with either drip irrigation, soaker hoses, or micro-sprinklers. Avoid overhead watering if possible as it can cause stem and root rot problems.
Fertilizer
Feed Lime twister sedum once every two weeks throughout spring and summer with a high-nitrogen fertilizer, such as 20-20-20. Apply at half strength for young plants, increasing by 25 percent each week until you’re feeding it full strength to established plants.
The frequency can vary slightly in fall and winter, depending on how warm your home is kept.
Temperature
Keep plants growing well by maintaining a temperature between 55°F and 70°F. You’ll need to monitor your location for these ideal temperatures, as it will vary greatly based on where you live.
It can take longer to germinate seeds in colder conditions, so if you’re starting with cool soil, start earlier with higher temperatures. Use grow lights if necessary and keep a thermometer nearby to check temperatures frequently.
Humidity
When humidity levels are high, water droplets form a film on leaves. In dry times, these water drops act as magnifying glasses for sunlight, singeing, and scorching leaves. That’s why it’s crucial to keep up on watering in humid weather.
The ideal humidity range for your Lime twister sedum is between 40 and 60 percent. If you live in a dry climate, you may need to water more often to keep your plant’s soil moist. Monitor leaves for signs of scorching or browning, which can be an indication that it’s time to water.
Pruning
Plants respond to pruning by producing more flowers and foliage. This is because once a plant is pruned, it can devote its energy to growing rather than dealing with extra growth. Pruning shrubs in your landscape will also keep them healthy.
Plants that are overgrown generally don’t live as long as those that are pruned regularly. With a little help from some hand tools, you can easily create an attractive landscape while keeping your plants alive longer. A good pair of garden shears makes all of these tasks easier.
By selecting high-quality tools for your gardening needs, you can cut back on headaches and wasted time spent repairing or replacing cheap tools that break quickly.
A pair of sharp shears with curved blades will make cutting stems easy, even if they are thick or tough. Look for ergonomic handles so you won’t get tired when trimming back large bushes or small trees in your yard.
When to repot
Young potted lime twister sedum grows quickly, so it’s important to repot young plants as soon as they outgrow their pots. Over time, roots will begin to circle around and fill a pot; when that happens, your plant is getting crowded and its growth will start to slow down.
In order for your lime twister to stay healthy and thriving, it’s critical that you repot before those roots start circling. If your plant starts looking pale or sickly, with leaves turning yellow or brown, chances are it needs more space. Repotting early will also help you avoid major root rot issues later on.
Dormancy/Winter rest
To preserve as much of your healthy green growth as possible, don’t let your lime twister sedum go dormant during winter. If you live in a mild climate, keep it outdoors; if you live in a colder one, bring it indoors until spring and then place it back outside.
This will ensure that your plant doesn’t lose its lovely color and shape. Your plant should grow just like usual all year long and start blooming again in springtime!
Lime twister sedum flower & fragrance
Its fragrant yellow flowers appear in spring, complementing its vibrant green color and giving a much-needed splash of color to your landscape at a time when most other plants are still bare.
Lime twister sedum is not just for looks. Its bold color and fragrance have made it a favorite with hummingbirds, butterflies, and even bees. It also makes a great accent to an herb garden or flower border. In fact, Sunsparkler Lime Twister will add color and sweetness to almost any landscape!
Growth rate
Slow growing, small leaves. Prefers full sun to partial shade. Grows to an average height/spread of 12 in./14 in.
Toxicity
Lime twister sedum plants are highly toxic to cats, dogs, and other household pets. Because many of these plants are commonly found in yards and gardens, it is especially important to keep them out of reach of animals.
USDA hardiness zones
Lime twister sedum thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9. It will not survive temperatures below -10 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a colder climate, try growing it as an annual.
Pests and diseases
The best way to avoid pest and disease problems for your Lime twister sedum is to ensure plants are correctly sized, properly watered, and well-nourished. This may sound simple, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.
Many succulent growers skimp on fertilizer or water their succulents too infrequently, which leads to plant stress, and more problems! As a general rule of thumb: if your plant isn’t bright green in color, flush it with water until you see new growth.
Conclusion
Lime twister sedum is an easy-to-grow, compact sedum. The lime green tips contrast beautifully with dark red stems that add a punch of color. This plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil for optimum performance in its native habitat; however, it can also tolerate partial shade.
Sunsparklers are excellent plants for windy locations as they are very hardy and don’t tend to break easily when hit by strong winds.
