Sedum Plants

Sedum is a large genus of succulent plants in the Crassulaceae family, with fleshy leaves and forms that vary from low, creeping groundcovers to upright perennials. Its species differ widely in mature size, foliage, flowers, and garden behavior, so care and seasonal details depend on the selected species. ## Growing Conditions The [North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sedum/) describes more than 300 Sedum species and notes that most outdoor kinds grow in sun to part sun. Coarse, well-drained soil suits many, and succulent foliage helps the genus tolerate dry conditions; avoid wet or poorly drained sites. A Kew record for [Sedum acre](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/274996-1) places the species in the Crassulaceae family, within the genus Sedum. ## Garden Use Low-growing kinds can spread as groundcovers on slopes, rock gardens, or green roofs, while taller species may flower in clusters and fit borders or pollinator gardens. The Extension guide also notes container and indoor uses for some species. Choose a species-level profile before selecting mature dimensions, flower colors, bloom timing, or winter hardiness, because those traits are not uniform across the genus. ## Maintenance Use a sharply drained growing medium and adjust light and watering to the individual species. Water sparingly where the selected Sedum is drought tolerant, and remove wet or damaged foliage as needed. ## Pacific Northwest Firewise source The [PNW 590 guide](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gallery/fire-resistant-plant-profiles-groundcovers) profiles low-growing Sedum species as a group and identifies Pacific stonecrop (S. divergens) as a native example. This genus-level tag does not establish that every species or cultivar was individually assessed. Maintain spacing between groundcovers and follow local site and maintenance guidance. ## Nevada firescaping source [University of Nevada, Reno](https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=2111) lists this genus among examples for firescaping. Its broad genus entry does not establish that every species or cultivar was individually assessed. Follow local placement, irrigation and dead-material removal guidance. ## Wyoming Firewise source [Firewise Structures: Design and Construction](https://www.sublettecountywy.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1277/Firewise-Structures-Design-and-Construction) lists this genus in its plant table. The source notes that some plants do not grow at higher elevations; check local suitability. This genus-level listing does not establish that every species or cultivar was individually assessed. ## Montana fire-resistant source [Montana State University Extension](https://extension-store.montana.edu/montguides/fire-resistant-plants-for-montana-landscapes) lists this genus. The guide notes that not all listed species grow throughout Montana and that some observations concern individual cultivars. A genus entry does not independently assess every species or selection; check local suitability, spacing and maintenance. ## Napa County Firewise source [Napa County](https://www.napacounty.gov/3373/Defensible-Space-Firewise-Planting) lists stonecrop (*Sedum* spp.) among suggested Firewise plants. This genus-level entry reflects the source's broad listing; it does not establish that every species or cultivar was individually assessed. The county emphasizes site selection and maintenance, and no plant is fireproof. The 2025 Yavapai County guide lists Sedum at genus scope among fire-resistant plants. The source does not individually assess every species or cultivar; follow its placement, irrigation and maintenance guidance. ## FireSmart BC placement The [FireSmart BC chart](https://firesmartbc.ca/landscaping-hub/fire-resistant-plants/) lists creeping stonecrop, Sedum at genus level, in the Intermediate zone. This source entry does not independently rate every species or cultivar. Follow its placement and maintenance guidance. ## Colorado CSU/CSFS 2025 source The [July 2025 Ignition-Resistant Landscape Plants guide](https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CSFS_CSU-Ext_Fact-Sheets_IRLP_2025_081825-2_web_accessible.pdf) lists Sedum spp. in its non-native low-water flowers and groundcovers table and assigns ignitability score 10. In this system, 10 is least ignitable. This is the corresponding genus-level record; the table does not establish independent testing of every species or named cultivar. For this source row, water needs are medium, the site is sun or partial sun, approximate height is 1-1.5 feet, and the stated elevation range is 5-10 thousand feet. These are the guide's example conditions, not universal dimensions or care requirements for every member of the genus. Keep plants appropriately watered, remove dead material, preserve spacing and avoid fuel connections. No plant is fireproof; use the guide's placement and maintenance instructions. ## Nevada UNR High Fire Hazard Areas compilation The [UNR compilation](https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=4762) includes this genus in the following source context: Succulents: Stonecrop, Sunset climate zones 1a,2a,2b,10,11,13. It reports earlier publications and explicitly does not independently assert that listed plants are less flammable. This genus-level association does not establish individual assessment of every species or cultivar. Its climate zones are Sunset zones, not USDA hardiness ratings. Check local suitability, watering, spacing, removal of dead material and defensible-space requirements; no plant is fireproof. ## New Mexico NMSU Fire Wise source The [Fire Wise Plant Materials guide](https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/FireWisePlantMaterialsNMSU.pdf), page 6, lists Sedum spp. (Stonecrop) in its flowers and groundcovers table. This genus association does not establish individual assessment or identical fire behavior for every species or cultivar. For this source row, water is low to moderate, exposure is S/PS, approximate height is 1-1.5 feet, and the estimated bloom period is Jul-Aug. Its exposure key defines S as full sun, PS as partial sun and Sh as shade. These are source-row examples, not universal dimensions or care for the whole group. The elevation cells, in thousands of feet, are 4: Y; 5: Y; 6: Y; 7: Y; 8: Y; 9+: Y. Y means yes, N not recommended and ? unknown or doubtful; a blank cell is unspecified, not approval. These elevations are separate from USDA hardiness zones. No plant is fireproof. Maintain moisture and separated planting groups, prevent fuel continuity, and remove dead vegetation and litter. Keep other regional ratings and conditions separate. ## Utah — source scope and conditions (2026 audit) The [USU 2018 guide](https://extension.usu.edu/forestry/files/resources/firewise-landscaping-updated-2018.pdf), printed page 18, lists Sedum species (some Native) as Stonecrop, Sedum. The guide calls for adequate irrigation, separated planting beds and annual clipping and removal of dead stems and litter. The separate [USU Firewise fact sheet](https://extension.usu.edu/forestry/publications/utah-forest-facts/002-firewise-plants-for-utah-landscapes) lists Sedum species. Its row conditions are: Very low growing; fleshy, moist leaves; drought tolerant. Only low-growing stonecrops meeting the source's ground-level form are represented; taller forms are not automatically established. These are distinct source associations and placement conditions, not an independent fire-performance test of every species, hybrid or cultivar. Check local suitability, invasive-plant guidance, spacing, irrigation and removal of dead material. No plant is fireproof. ## Yavapai County — 2025 source scope and care The [University of Arizona Yavapai County bulletin](https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/2025-03/FirewisePlants3-14-2025.pdf), page 2, lists Sedum (stonecrop) with the botanical cell Sedum and form P, C. It places this entry in its fire-resistant list. The matched catalog name is Sedum. The Sedum row is coded P,C (perennial/groundcover). The source-level genus association does not independently assess every tall stonecrop or cultivar. Source form codes: C=groundcover, G=grass, P=perennial, S=shrub, T=tree and V=vine. Printed names and form codes can include source spelling errors or historical taxonomic treatments; the source wording is retained separately from the catalog name and plant-specific habit. The bulletin states that resistant plants require irrigation and frequent maintenance. It describes low shrubs or clean taller shrubs with little dead material. Maintain suitable moisture and spacing, remove dead growth and avoid continuous fuel; a regional list does not establish every selection's performance or local cold hardiness. No plant is fireproof. Keep this Yavapai classification separate from Arizona UA, Utah, New Mexico, Idaho, Colorado and other source ratings and their placement, moisture and maintenance conditions. ## Inland West — source row reconciliation PDF page 19 (printed 17), General list: “Sedum spp” / “stonecrop”. Scoped representative of the printed genus or group under General list; the source does not name or individually assess every species, hybrid or cultivar. ## Inland West — 2005 source scope and care The [University of Idaho Station Bulletin 67, January 2005](https://www.uwyo.edu/barnbackyard/_files/documents/resources/mullenfire/protectinghomeswildfire.pdf) includes this taxon in its plant suggestions. The publication says the list is not exhaustive and no plant is fireproof; pruning, watering, plant condition and landscape arrangement matter more than selection alone. Choose for slope, aspect, hardiness and rainfall, and keep this association separate from numerical Idaho BLM scores and other regional ratings. Its landscape guidance describes a treated landscape extending at least 100 feet from the home, with greater distances on steep or windy sites. Separate tree crowns by 10–15 feet; keep foundation plantings low, well watered and free of dead material, eliminate ladder fuels and use separated planting groups with nonflammable breaks. Maintain irrigation, trim turf and remove dry debris. The same species can behave differently with water stress or accumulated dead growth; verify current local guidance and suitability. ## Pacific Northwest — PNW 590 (2023): Sedum or stonecrop The [groundcovers-19 profile](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gallery/fire-resistant-plant-profiles-groundcovers) provides this source context. Primary heading: Sedum species. Exact source genus scope; no individual species/cultivar testing inferred. Source care: Low water use; Full sun to partial shade. The profile concerns succulent groundcover sedums and explicitly names S. divergens as a native alternative. It says deer resistance varies among selections. Its relative fire-resistance language is source attribution, not independent test data. Profile reference data: Height: 2–12 inches; Spread: 6–24 inches; USDA hardiness zones: 3–8; Flowers: white, yellow, pinkish-red; Bloom time: May–September. These are the publication's profile-level reference values; they are not independent measurements of each named example or a change to this catalog record's scalar fields. Availability of native forms, pollinator use and deer resistance remain source-scope statements, not automatic attribute tags. The [2023 guide](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pnw-590-fire-resistant-plants-home-landscapes) requires healthy, adequately watered plants and removal of dead/spent material. Keep the first 5 feet around the home free of plants; in the 5–30-foot zone separate planting groups by at least 10 feet, farther on slopes. Avoid continuous rows and ladder fuels, and keep tree branches at least 15 feet from the home. Source association is not a laboratory flammability score or a claim of fireproofness. This paragraph identifies 2023 scope; older PNW associations and other regional ratings remain separate.