Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop, also known as fulda glow sedum, stonecrop fuldaglut, sedum fuldaglut, or caucasian stonecrop, is an extremely hardy flowering plant and ground cover that can tolerate temperatures as low as -25 °C (-13 °F).
This succulent perennial has rose-pink blooms that appear in the summer and are very appealing to bees and butterflies. Sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop is native to southeastern Europe but can grow easily in most areas throughout the United States and Canada, especially in mountainous regions.
What makes the Fulda Glow Sedum so unique is that it’s one of the most brightly colored of the stonecrops, and its color holds up very well in both sun and shade. In addition to being popular among gardeners, this plant is also an important food source for bees and other pollinators, as well as monarch butterflies!
Origin and distribution
Several subspecies of Sedum spurium were described by various botanists in Great Britain, France, Russia, and Germany. In each case, a different name was used to describe specimens in that particular country. However, one strain is known as Sedum spurium fuldaglut due to its unique coloration under specific lighting conditions.
The plant originated in northern Europe and has since spread throughout most of Western Europe, especially along roadsides. It can also be found on several other continents including North America where it has been introduced either intentionally or accidentally.
Fulda glow sedum thrives in temperate climates but does not tolerate frost. This makes it an ideal houseplant for those living in cooler regions who want a bit of summer all year round.
Sedum spurium fuldaglut propagation
The easiest way to grow stonecrop fuldaglut is through propagation. Seeds take a long time to germinate, and since stonecrops are wind-pollinated, it’s unlikely that you’ll get self-propagating plants from one single batch of seeds. It’s best to start with cuttings or divisions.
Cuttings can be taken in late spring or early summer using a sharp knife or shears; make sure that each cutting has at least two sets of leaves on it before planting them in well-drained soil in an area with full sun exposure.
Divisions should be done during dormancy when there is no new growth present on your plant. Dig up your entire plant and separate it into smaller sections; replant these pieces immediately after removing them from their root ball.
You may also propagate stonecrop fuldaglut by layering, that is, bending a stem down to touch the ground, covering it with soil, then waiting for roots to form where they touch the earth. This technique will only work if you have access to young stems without any flowers attached.
Sedum spurium fuldaglut care information
Sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop is easy to care for and grown primarily in garden beds. The caucasian stonecrop is a very hardy plant and can withstand both heat and cold.
If you already have another flowering sedum, you might consider letting your stonecrops be an accent. Planting a mixture of reds, oranges, purples, yellows, and greens will create an attractive autumn color palette.
Light requirement
Fuldaglut stonecrop can thrive in both full sunlight and partial shade, but it needs to receive a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. If you’re looking for more blooms, place your stonecrop in a sunny window with bright light.
However, if your houseplants tend to dry out quickly and not look their best, put them in a partially shaded area that still gets plenty of indirect sunlight.
Soil/potting mix
Because of its thick, fleshy leaves, Sedum spurium fuldaglut should be planted in a slightly bigger pot than usual. It thrives best in soil with an acid pH and it should not be planted in pots made of clay.
A mixture of one part peat moss to two parts sand is ideal for these plants. The plant also prefers well-drained soil so make sure you put plenty of gravel or stones at the bottom of your pot before adding your soil mix. The top layer of your potting mix should always remain dry as Fulda Glow does not like wet feet.
Watering
Once established, caucasian stonecrop requires infrequent watering. In fact, too much water can lead to root rot. After establishing caucasian stonecrop in your garden, you should be able to go four weeks without watering it and still keep it alive and healthy.
If you’re growing your plant in a container, be sure to choose one that has adequate drainage holes for excess water to escape. It’s also important to use only rainwater or distilled water on sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop; tap water contains chemicals that are harmful to plants.
Watering with hard water can cause yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and overall poor health of your plant.
Fertilizer
In most cases, you’ll want to fertilize your Sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop monthly during its growing season, March through October. Use a granular general-purpose fertilizer at a rate of 1/4 cup per gallon of water.
Spread it evenly on top of your potted plant and water until it is evenly distributed throughout your container’s soil.
For best results, use a slow-release fertilizer with a higher middle number for your plants’ needs. For example, if you have a high-light environment, use an 18-8-12 or 20-10-20 product; if you have low light conditions in which your sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop is growing, use something with more nitrogen in it like 12-6-6 or 14-14.
Temperature
The fuldaglut stonecrop is hardy in USDA zones 3-8. The best temperature for growing sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop is 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
It does well in partially sunny areas and performs best when it has full sun for part of each day and partial sun or dappled shade for most of each day. In hotter regions, it is important to water your sedum plant regularly so that it doesn’t dry out too much.
Humidity
Plants that like humidity might not be as happy in your house. Consider where you live, and try to find plants that thrive in similar conditions. If you live in a dry climate, for example, look for succulents and other desert plants; if you live in an area of high humidity, look for drought-tolerant cacti.
The ideal humidity range is 40 to 60 percent. If your home’s humidity level falls outside that range, you can use a humidifier or dehumidifier to maintain it. A humidifier adds moisture to dry air; a dehumidifier removes excess moisture from overly humid air.
Pruning
It’s best to prune your sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop after they finish blooming. Remove any dead or damaged stems, then cut them back to where they emerge from their base. To encourage new growth, place your pruning shears at a slight diagonal and cut them into older woody stems slightly.
Water deeply afterward to encourage root growth.
You can also prune in early spring before new growth begins. If you choose to do so, remove any winter damage as well as dead or diseased leaves, stems and flowers. Pruning encourages thicker foliage that is more resistant to disease and drought stress.
You can also propagate your sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop by taking stem cuttings in late summer through fall.
When to repot
Sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop is a perennial succulent, so it will grow year after year and should not be repotted often. If you notice that your plant has begun to shrink in size, though, it’s probably time to repot it.
To do so, simply prune away any dead leaves from around its base and pull up on one of its roots slightly. If it comes out easily, then it’s ready for a new pot. Otherwise, wait another month or two before repotting again.
Dormancy/Winter rest
For gardeners in Zones 7 and warmer, winter rest is not necessary. In colder areas, such as Zone 6, plants will go dormant over winter and look like they’ve been killed by cold. Remove all leaves that fell over winter and cut back stems to 4 inches tall to allow new growth to emerge in spring when it warms up.
Divide clumps every few years to prevent them from spreading too much, which makes them more vulnerable to insect damage or weather damage during storms.
If you are dividing a sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop plant for propagation, separate divisions with at least one growing season between them so they can become established before being moved into their permanent location.
Keep soil moist but not soggy through summer to promote rooting and full recovery of the original color.
Sedum spurium fuldaglut flower & fragrance
Flowers are small and white and have an aromatic, lily-of-the-valley-like fragrance that blooms from mid-summer until frost. Leaves appear in mid to late summer and are dark green.
The best flowering is in full sun with moist soil at a pH of 6 – 7. Can be used as a ground cover plant or as a container plant on the patio or indoors.
Growth rate
Because it’s a little slower growing than most plants, it’s an excellent choice for planting between stepping stones or around tree trunks and larger shrubs in shady areas.
It’s also one of our favorite sedums for ground cover because it can also grow well in full sun conditions if provided with extra water, fertilizer, and careful weeding throughout its first year.
Toxicity
Sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop is nontoxic to cats and dogs. In some cases, sedums are even used as an ingredient in pet food because of their high calcium content.
USDA hardiness zones
Sedum spurium fuldaglut thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8. In areas where temperatures drop below -10 degrees Fahrenheit, protect your stonecrop with a winter mulch.
Pests and diseases
Mites and aphids are common pests of sedum spurium fuldaglut stonecrop. Aphids suck plant juices, causing leaf curl and deformed stems. Mites feed on plants using their piercing mouthparts, causing yellowing and curling of leaves.
These pests can be controlled by washing with a forceful spray from a garden hose, applying dormant oil in early spring, or miticides when populations become high. Mealybugs also sometimes attack these plants. They secrete honeydew that attracts ants, which protects them from predators.
Mealybugs can be killed by dabbing them with isopropyl alcohol or handpicking them off individual leaves. Control ants with insecticidal soap sprays or ant stakes placed around affected areas to disrupt foraging trails and stop ants before they find their way into your home.
Conclusion
In addition to adding a pop of color and a dash of drama, Sedum spurium fuldaglut makes an excellent ground cover. If you’re looking for ways to give your garden a new look, try planting your beds with fulda glow or mixing in these sedums with other flowering plants.
You can add them to rock gardens or mount them on walls as well. Whatever space you fill with these colorful stonecrops, make sure it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
