Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:31 pm
Sedum spurium bronze carpet plant, also known as bronze carpet sedum, bronze carpet stonecrop, Phedimus spurius, or just carpet sedum, has green, oval leaves that grow in an upright rosette pattern.
This variety of sedum spurium has bronze tips and bright yellow flowers in the summer, which eventually turn red in the fall.
From its tiny, bronze-colored leaves to its lush, green foliage, the Sedum spurium bronze carpet plant makes an eye-catching addition to any space.
Grow this plant indoors or out in your garden to add pops of color and texture, which makes it a perfect accent to fill in bare spots or areas where grass or mulch are needed but not desired.
Carefully choosing and placing ornamental plants can be one of the most enjoyable parts of designing your garden. The variety of shapes, colors, textures, and growth habits makes selecting plants very fun and creative!
Origin and distribution
Phedimus spurius (commonly known as Sedum spurium bronze carpet, green carpet, or bronze carpet stonecrop) is a European species of sedum that grows in alpine and subalpine regions. It is sometimes used in rock gardens and as a groundcover.
The genus name is derived from Greek phedímos, wide, referring to its leaves; its Latin species name means little spurius or of uncertain origin.
The plant was first discovered by Swiss botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle (1778-1841), who named it Sedum spurium bronze carpet for its spuriously illegitimate origins: one specimen was obtained from Scotland, another from Germany.
Botanists at Kew Gardens proposed changing it to Phedimus spurius in 1842 but did not follow through with their suggestion until 1894. Other common names include green carpet and green moss stonecrop. In North America, Sedum nussbaumerianum is often sold under the same common names.
Sedum spurium bronze carpet propagation
To propagate a Sedum spurium bronze carpet plant, start by collecting a seed pod or two. You can let them dry out on their own or put them in an area with sunlight to naturally dry for about two days. Once they are dried, open up one of the pods and gently shake away some of its content.
Do not worry if you do not get any seeds on your first try as it can take several times before you are successful at extracting some seeds from pods. After you have extracted some seeds, place them in a small container filled with soil.
Make sure that there is enough room between each seed so that when they germinate, there will be enough space for each plant to grow without crowding each other. Water lightly until the soil is moist but not soaking wet.
Sedum spurium bronze carpet care information
When caring for a Sedum spurium bronze carpet plant, start by placing it in an area with indirect sunlight. The plant does best when placed near east- or west-facing windows, but it can also do well under artificial light.
When growing sedums indoors, try to keep them out of the direct sun; like succulents, they need less water than other plants and extra direct light will dry them out faster.
Light requirement
Sedum spurium bronze carpet plant needs six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. If you live in a cold climate, it is crucial that you wait until all chance of frost has passed before placing a bronze carpet outside.
The plant will not be damaged by frost, but it will die if exposed too early to temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Bronze carpet can also be grown indoors as long as it receives enough light and its soil is kept moist.
Soil/potting mix
Although sedum spurium bronze carpet plant can withstand drought, it will thrive if you water it regularly. As a succulent, its roots don’t need much depth to grow. To encourage growth and produce large red flowers, add an inch of sand or pebbles to your planting container and fill with potting mix.
Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy; over-watering is just as harmful to these plants as underwatering. If your sedum spurium bronze carpet starts to look droopy, try moving it outside during sunny afternoons and bring it back inside at night.
Watering
While most succulents and sedums require very little care, Sedum spurium bronze carpet can still benefit from good watering practices. While you don’t want to overwater these plants, you also don’t want to underwater them.
Learn how to water your plants properly. Also, make sure you keep an eye on it during dry spells; if there is no rain in sight, plan to give your plant a good soaking of water at least once a week or so.
Fertilizer
This hardy succulent is not a fussy houseplant. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, Sedum spurium bronze carpet plant requires little care beyond its basic horticultural needs of bright light and infrequent watering, because it’s tough and drought-tolerant.
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to your sedum spurium bronze carpet plant every six months for optimal growth.
Temperature
Sedum spurium ‘Bronze Carpet’ thrives best in temperatures above 40 degrees F. If your plants are exposed to colder temperatures, they will begin to drop their leaves and appear as if they’re going dormant. When warmer weather returns, so will your Sedum spurium ‘Bronze Carpet’ plants.
The ideal temperature range for bronze carpet sedum is between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a warm climate, you can place your plant outside during the spring and summer months. Just be sure to bring it back inside before temperatures drop below 40 degrees.
Humidity
The best thing about bronze carpet sedum is that it does not require high humidity. The plant does fine in both dry and humid environments, but if you notice its leaves starting to turn brown and crispy, then you might want to increase your house’s humidity levels. You can use a room humidifier or put trays of water under potted plants.
Be careful though, some species of sedum are prone to root rot so be sure to check with your local greenhouse first.
The ideal humidity range is between 40 and 60 percent. If you live in a humid environment, it’s best to keep your bronze carpet sedum on a tray with pebbles and water underneath. This will help increase its humidity levels without risking root rot. If you don’t have room for a tray, misting your plant every few days should do the trick.
Pruning
As Sedum spurium bronze carpet is a dwarf succulent, it does not need frequent pruning. However, if your plant has gotten out of control or grown too tall for its location, it may be time to prune. You can prune sedums at any time of year but the best results are achieved in early spring or fall before new growth occurs.
To begin, cut back stems with sharp garden shears right above a leaf node (the small bump where leaves emerge from stems). Pruning will cause some dieback and you will notice that many leaves drop off after pruning.
Don’t worry; they will grow back quickly. If you don’t want to deal with dead leaves on your carpeting stonecrop, simply wait until summer when most of them have died off naturally, and remove them then.
When to repot
Repot your bronze carpet stonecrop every two years with a fresh potting mix. If you’re planting it in a garden, make sure that you choose an area where it will receive partial shade during summer. Make sure to water your plant regularly and provide supplemental nutrients when needed.
Dormancy/Winter rest
In temperate climates, it is natural for stonecrops to go dormant in winter, entering a period of dormancy characterized by a lack of root growth and cold-hardiness.
Perennial growers will do well to prepare their sedums for winter by pinching off flower stalks and any dead leaves as they appear. In spring, as temperatures rise and day length increases, plants should be gradually woken up with more sunlight, pruning and fertilizing before new growth appears at their bases.
During periods of intense heat or drought, additional watering may be necessary; check plants regularly during summer months to ensure that they are not suffering from moisture stress.
It’s also a good idea to pinch back faded flowers throughout summer so that your plant has plenty of energy reserves stored away in its fleshy tuberous roots. This will help ensure that you have a healthy flush of flowers next year!
Sedum spurium bronze carpet flower & fragrance
Sedum spurium ‘Bronze Carpet’ is a colorful, slow-growing ground cover that does not tolerate dry conditions and needs moderate to low amounts of water. It has airy flowers in late spring that smell like honey and have an orange center. The flowers attract butterflies and bees all summer long.
In winter, bronze sedum should be protected from frost by covering it with straw or pine boughs or leaving it inside in a spot where it won’t get below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Growth rate
The bronze carpet stonecrop grows most rapidly in its early stages, as it is capable of putting out new leaves as often as every seven days. It will continue to grow, but at a slower rate, throughout its life. Bronze carpet stonecrop requires full sunlight for optimal growth, and needs well-drained soil and consistent watering.
Toxicity
Sedum spurium bronze carpet is a relatively common houseplant that can be easily grown and propagated. However, it is moderately toxic and should not be eaten by children or pets.
Excessive use may cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and possibly seizures. If ingested, do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical attention instead.
USDA hardiness zones
Sedum spurium bronze carpet plant thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9. It is sensitive to frost and will die back if temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In areas where it does not receive enough sunlight, it will become leggy and thin.
Pests, diseases, and problems
The most common pest is from snails, aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies, but these are easy to avoid. One important thing to remember about pests is that almost all garden plants attract them, so if you’re having problems with one, try something else for a while. If all else fails, consider calling in an expert!
In most cases though, following common-sense practices and being vigilant about keeping an eye on things will keep your plant growing strong.
Conclusion
Sedum spurium bronze carpet is an excellent ground cover for areas of your garden that are in need of shade. It does well even in drier environments and should be a staple in any gardener’s collection. This plant may take some extra TLC to keep it at its best, but most gardeners find that it is worth it.
If you want to add some color to your yard or have trouble growing grass in certain areas, consider adding sedum spurium bronze carpet as part of your landscaping plan. You won’t regret it!
