Sedum Dasyphyllum Care and Propagation Guide

Discover the captivating world of Sedum dasyphyllum, a fascinating succulent that will leave you enchanted with its unique features and delicate beauty. This small spreading perennial herb forms a low mat of tightly packed, round leaves in exquisite shades of powdery grey-green or turquoise-grey. Its clusters of white and pink streaked star flowers, adorned with little black dots on the petals, grace this plant during early summer. Are you curious about Sedum dasyphyllum care? Keep reading to unlock the secrets of nurturing and propagating this extraordinary succulent.

About Sedum Dasyphyllum

Sedum dasyphyllum boasts a chameophyte growth form, characterized by its small or dwarf shrub-like appearance. Its weak and decumbent-creeping stems add charm to any space, while the flowering branches stand upright, showcasing the plant’s delicate blooms. As a perennial, its root system consists of small white fibers, ensuring longevity and sustainability. But what truly sets this succulent apart are its leaves. Densely packed and succulent, they range from grey-green to glaucous green, and even take on reddish hues. With an imbricate arrangement and an elliptic or obovate shape, these leaves measure 3.5 to 7 mm and possess a tantalizing texture.

Each inflorescence of Sedum dasyphyllum is a sight to behold. Erect or ascending, these panicles are usually glandular-pubescent, further enhancing the plant’s allure. Simple and few-flowered, the lax and glutinose appearance of these inflorescences adds a delicate touch to the overall aesthetic. The flowers themselves are a marvel—5-6-merous, shortly pedicellate, and featuring basally fused sepals that are ovate and acute. Delight in the petals, which are fleshy and convex on both sides, ranging from oblong-elliptic to lanceolate in shape. They exhibit a pristine white color, often accented by a subtle pink to reddish keel. Sedum dasyphyllum’s blooming season occurs during early summer, showering your space with a burst of natural beauty.

Now that you’ve caught a glimpse of the exquisite Sedum dasyphyllum, it’s time to unravel the secrets of caring for and propagating this captivating succulent. Discover the steps to nurturing its unique needs and unlocking its full potential. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting your botanical journey, Sedum dasyphyllum will reward your efforts with its enchanting presence. Get ready to delve into the world of Sedum dasyphyllum care and unlock the key to cultivating this extraordinary plant.

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Sedum Dasyphyllum Care Guide

If you have fallen in love with the beautiful leaves and equally gorgeous flowers of Sedum dasyphyllum and want to bring it home, you must also educate yourself on how to grow and care for it.

Here are a few tips that will be useful:

Light

Sedum dasyphyllum grows best in locations where they will enjoy the full sun at least six or more hours per day. Most species will tolerate partial shade but will not thrive in deep shade.

As much as it loves light, make sure to protect it from very harsh direct sun rays that can potentially harm the leaves.

When indoors, keep the succulent in a sunny window or under artificial lights.

Water

Sedum dasyphyllum is quite drought-tolerant but does need some water. They do their best with weekly watering from spring through fall, but may require more in extremely hot weather or if planted in a container.

Like any other succulents, Sedum dasyphyllum does not tolerate waterlogging. Excess water must be able to drain freely or be poured out of the planter after watering because wetness quickly leads to root rot in these succulents.

Wait until the soil is completely dry between watering. Newly planted Sedum dasyphyllum should be watered daily for the first couple of weeks.

Soil

The ideal soil for Sedum dasyphyllum is a substrate mixture of nutrient-poor soil and mineral components. A substrate for succulents should be well permeable to water so that no water can accumulate after watering. This can be achieved by mixing 60% succulent soil (also called cactus soil) and 40% mineral components, such as gravel or perlite, lava rocks and some quartz sand.

The open-pored mineral components, perlites and granules support the airflow and crumb structure of the substrate, they store the nutrients and moisture but allow excess water to flow quickly after watering.

Climate

Sedum dasyphyllum can tolerate freezing temperatures. Most are cold hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5a to 9b, -20 to 30 °F (-28.9 to -1.1 °C). Some species will tolerate temperatures down to USDA hardiness zone 4a, -30 °F (-34.4 °C). Sedum dasyphyllum is also tolerant of heat and drought.

Keep indoor Sedum dasyphyllum at temperatures between 60 and 70 °F (15 and 20 °) through the winter. When temperatures drop below 50 °F (10 °C), plants start to go dormant.

Fertilizing

Sedum dasyphyllum prefers lean conditions. In fact, unless your soil is extremely poor, it may be best to avoid fertilizer at all. If you do need to add some nutrients to the soil, it is best to apply an organic fertilizer at half-strength during the growing season or a light layer of compost.

Chemical fertilizers tend to cause stretching and flopping on taller varieties. Mulch should not be applied up against the base of the plant because this can cause rot.

Pruning Sedum Dasyphyllum

Sedum dasyphyllum is very low maintenance and pruning isn’t necessary. You can clean them up a bit after winter by removing any dead or damaged branches or foliage; this will also help keep your succulent healthy.

For Sedum dasyphyllum, pinch new growth in spring to promote branching and shorter growth; this will help keep them from getting leggy and drooping. Deadheading the succulent in fall isn’t necessary, as the flower heads provide fall and winter interest.

Ground cover types can be trimmed to stay within their boundaries. If you don’t want seedlings from these creeping varieties, the flower heads can be removed after blooming in summer.

How to Propagate Sedum Dasyphyllum

Sedum dasyphyllum can be propagated by division, cuttings, or seed.

For Sedum dasyphyllum, division is the easiest and is best done in early spring. Dig the plant up and divide it into wedges, making sure to get some new budding areas within each section. Replant the sections. Sedum dasyphyllum can be divided every few years.

If you are using leaves or cuttings, ensure that you cut them from a mature plant. Keep some of the roots intact with the leaf clusters. You should let the stem cuttings or leaf clusters rest and dry for a few days so that they can become ready for planting. The cuttings might swell up a bit as well.

Then, prepare a pot or container and fill it with the soil mix. Sow the seeds, leaves or cuttings into the soil. Lightly water the plant without overdoing it. Keeping the soil moist enough will be sufficient in the beginning.

For the leaves and cuttings, the roots will grow out within a couple of weeks and develop into tiny plants. The seeds might take a bit longer than that to germinate.

You can then go on to carry out the regular care requirements. Once the plant grows big enough, you can repot it carefully into a larger container.