Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Sedum sediforme, also called Turquoise tails sedum, brings both beauty and durability to your garden as a ground cover or border plant. In warmer areas of the country, this succulent ground cover can be used on walls and sunny pathways to add unique color and texture to your landscape design.
For those living in the colder regions of the U.S., this plant can be grown in large containers and brought indoors during the winter months for added appeal throughout your home or office space.
Beautiful stonecrop with blue-green leaves and lavender-blue flowers, turquoise tails sedum, grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9, so it’s easy to grow in most places.
This type of sedum has small, bumpy leaves with saw-toothed edges that curve back toward its center and small white flowers that turn bright pink when they mature.
With its thick foliage and bright pink flowers, the sedum sediforme is a beautiful ground cover that makes an excellent plant choice if you want to attract birds to your garden, but don’t have much space available.
This hardy, drought-tolerant plant can be planted with other perennials or even in pots on balconies and patios. The turquoise tails sedum’s thick, succulent leaves create a lush carpet of green, which keeps out weeds and adds color to your landscape.
Origin and distribution
Sedum sediforme is native to Southeastern Iran, where it is still found in its natural habitat. It grows best at altitudes between 5,000 and 8,000 feet on rocky outcrops, cliffs, and hillsides that receive full sun exposure during most of each day. It also grows well in sandy soil with very little nutrition or water.
The plant typically reaches a height of 6-8 inches tall with stems that are about 1 inch thick. Its leaves are succulent and usually grow in pairs along each stem, measuring about 3 inches long by 2 inches wide.
Its flowers have four petals that measure approximately 0.5 inches across and come in shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, or white depending on what variety you have. In addition to its beautiful flowers, sedum sediforme is also valued for its ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds because of its nectar content.
Sedum sediforme propagation
Sedum sediforme can be propagated by division in spring or summer, or by seed. Cuttings should be 4 long and cut just below a node. Pot individual plants into 3 pots, root them for 6 weeks under lights at 70 degrees and then transplant them to larger containers.
Sow seeds on top of fine soil mix, keeping them moist until they germinate after two weeks. They need light to germinate so keep them well lit. Transplant young plants into small 2-inch pots as soon as they have their first true leaves.
Feed young plants every week with an all-purpose fertilizer diluted to half strength. Once they are well established, feed once a month with a balanced fertilizer diluted to quarter strength.
Keep compost moist but not wet; allow it to dry out between waterings during winter months when growth slows down considerably. Avoid overhead watering which promotes disease. Do not over-fertilize!
Sedum sediforme care information
Sedum sediforme is a low-maintenance ground cover. It prefers a sunny or partially shaded location, with well-drained soil that has been amended with compost. If planting in sunnier locations, it’s important to provide shade during hot summer months.
This can be accomplished by pruning to allow dappled sunlight through, building sun tunnels over planting beds, or planting in areas protected from the afternoon sun by buildings or other trees.
Light requirement
Sedum sediforme prefers full sun to partial shade. Sun-seeking gardeners will be enamored with its full-sun requirements. The only thing turquoise about these stunning succulents is their name, but all you need to do is show it a little sun and water to get its colors started.
Soil/potting mix
Sedum sediforme wants a combination of one part compost and two parts potting mix. Mix them together in a wheelbarrow or container, so you have more than you’ll need for immediate use.
Like most sedums, Turquoise Tails get the best results in well-draining soil, but it can adapt to more moist conditions.
Add more potting mix every few weeks, instead of replacing what’s already there. This will give your plants plenty of nutrients while also cutting down on waste and cost!
Watering
Make sure your petrosedum sediforme doesn’t dry out for too long during the summer months. We recommend watering it every other day or when you notice your plant starts to get dry.
When you water, just soak it in a bucket of water until it has absorbed as much water as it can. Don’t keep soaking, don’t throw more water on top of what’s already there, just let it sit and absorb.
You should also water your plant on a regular basis but only when it’s dry. Avoid watering daily as it will drown roots.
Fertilizer
When you select a fertilizer for your Turquoise Tails Sedum, look for one that has three numbers, such as 12-8-16. The first number represents nitrogen, which promotes green growth.
The second number indicates phosphorus, a nutrient essential to root development and disease resistance. The third number signifies potassium, which promotes the overall health of foliage.
Apply fertilizer twice a year to maintain vigorous growth: in early spring and again in midsummer.
Temperature
When grown in warm environments, sedum sediforme grows best in full sun with adequate drainage. It will thrive in a mix of organic soil and gravel and can withstand temperatures up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
This succulent is also ideal for hanging baskets, planters, and rock gardens as its low-growing nature add a great contrast to other taller species.
Humidity
Petrosedum sediforme is native to Africa, and can only survive in humid areas. Because of its low water requirements, it makes a good choice for people who want to conserve water and do not have irrigation available.
The ideal humidity range for your Sedum sediforme is between 40 and 80 percent. In an area with lower humidity, place a humidifier near your plant to increase moisture levels. If you live in an area with higher humidity, be sure to water your plant regularly to prevent root rot. Be careful not to overwater your sedum, as it does not like wet feet!
Pruning
It is important to prune plants during their dormant period, and it’s just as important not to water after a plant has been pruned. Watering can lead to disease, which will be very difficult to treat later in the year.
Petrosedum sediforme may be directly seeded or grown from cuttings taken from mature stems. The best time for planting is when all threat of frost has passed. This can vary depending on your location and will most likely be between March and May.
When to repot
If you have a sedum, repot it when it starts to crowd its container or if new growth stops. When selecting a pot for your sedum, pick one that is no more than 1 inch larger in diameter than its current pot; you don’t want to give your plant more room than it needs to grow.
Add fresh potting soil to just cover its roots. Gently remove any rotted or dead roots. Water thoroughly after repotting. Place your sedum in an area with bright but indirect light and temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Reduce watering during winter months. You can fertilize once a month with a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer mixed at half strength until springtime; then stop fertilizing until fall, when you can resume feeding monthly at half strength.
Dormancy/Winter rest
Most succulents, in general, need to be dormant over winter if you live anywhere colder than 30 degrees north or south of the equator. This is because when temperatures dip into dormancy, many plants are still growing on a cellular level.
And while they’re not outwardly showing signs of growth during their resting period, they’re still actively taking up water and nutrients from their environment. By definition, then, these plants need a rest period that coincides with cold weather outside.
If you don’t give your plant a break from its active growing season, it will eventually suffer from burnout, leaves will wilt and die back until there’s nothing left but stems. And once your plant has lost all its leaves, it will have trouble taking up water again once spring arrives.
Sedum sediforme flower & fragrance
The flowers are borne in clusters at various times of the year, depending on the variety. They are small and have five petals. The color varies from pale yellow to white with shades of orange, red, purple, and green.
Their fragrance is somewhat lemon-like. The leaves resemble a rosette as they tightly wrap around its stem becoming more horizontal with age.
Growth rate
Sedum sediforme is a slow-growing plant, typically only gaining 2 of height per year. It can be easily sheared if you want it to grow faster, but be aware that you will lose some flowers if you do so.
Also, note that a large proportion of its flowers are sent up in its first year. After reaching maturity, it doesn’t require much maintenance, just occasional watering, and light pruning to remove dead leaves or stems.
Toxicity
Highly toxic to cats and dogs. Contact with plant or consumption of water in which plant has been soaked can cause kidney failure. Also, turquoise tails sedum is photosensitive, so care should be taken to avoid exposure to direct sunlight while handling or working around it.
When handling or planting turquoise tails sedum, wear gloves to prevent skin irritation and goggles or other protective eyewear to prevent eye irritation.
USDA hardiness zones
Sedum sediforme thrives in USDA hardiness zones 2-9. In colder climates, it’s best to grow it as an annual or overwinter it indoors. In warmer climates, you can grow it as a perennial and enjoy its foliage year-round. It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade.
Pests and diseases
The Turquoise Tails Sedum, commonly grown in hanging baskets or as ground cover, is susceptible to several pests and diseases. While these plants are generally tolerant of high heat and humidity, like other species of sedums, they can be weakened by heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Whiteflies are a common problem for these plants; treat with organic insecticides and remove any dead leaves to prevent infestation. Leaf spots may also occur if your plant becomes waterlogged during periods of extreme rain.
The plant is also susceptible to several pests including aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. Aphids will appear as little black dots clustered on stems and undersides of leaves; these insects pierce plant tissue with their mouthparts and suck out cell contents resulting in distorted new growth, yellowing foliage, and stunted growth.
Conclusion
A beautiful ground cover that is great for any growing area. This variety of sedum, called Sedum sediforme, also grows well indoors as a houseplant and can easily be found at most garden centers. They do best in moist soil but will grow in partial shade or full sun conditions.
If kept moist, Sedum sediforme plants are typically disease-free, although they can be attacked by spider mites in areas with very dry air during the winter months. Maintaining proper drainage is key to keeping your turquoise tails sedum healthy and happy.
