How Do You Care For Sedum Atlantis?

How Do You Care For Sedum Atlantis?

Sedum Atlantis is easy to care for and requires low maintenance. It grows well in full sun with ordinary to poor well-drained soil and is drought tolerant. They are typically planted in hanging baskets, planters, or containers and will create a unique look when grown outdoors as well.

The type of sedum that is used for these geometric patterns should have many leaves and be a large variety because it will provide more than just texture from the leaves it grows in the design. Divide every 2-3 years in the spring.

Stems are easily removed and will root when transplanted. Winter-damaged foliage can be pruned back in early spring to promote new growth.

Sedum Atlantis prefers dry soil and should be watered seldom, if ever, as it tends to rot if too wet. The following are the factors to consider when caring for Sedum Atlantis;

Sunlight:

Sedum Atlantis grows well in sun to partial shade. Full sun will produce tight, dense leaves that form a nice bold pattern in the garden. It requires at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. This can be achieved via windowsill lighting or grow lights with a hood.

Expect most growth in the early morning and late afternoon when temperatures are cooler. When the sun is shining brightly, it should be shaded from midday to avoid scorching the leaves as well as allow air circulation under the planter.

Soil:

Sedum Atlantis prefers average soil that drains well but does not need to be overly rich in nutrients or organic matter. If the soil is not well drained, add in some sand so that it does not become a waterlogged mess. This can be amended with leaf mold or compost.

The key to growing good sedum is to properly prepare the soil and also include a balanced fertilizer. It is a little more difficult to find specialized sedum fertilizer than other plants, but there are several options available at garden centers and home improvement stores.

Water:

Sedum Atlantis is a drought-tolerant plant and does not need to be watered often. Water deeply and infrequently, never allowing the soil to become soggy. Remember to water thoroughly and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil within the planter to dry out before watering again. Once the plant goes dormant, it will only need water once every 2 or 3 weeks.

Watering during the growing season is only required to ensure proper air circulation and also to keep the leaves moist so that they do not scorch in the hot summer sun. They will also rot if wet for any length of time.

Temperature:

Sedum Atlantis goes dormant in the winter and is not typically grown outside in cold weather areas. It will tolerate frost of ~10 degrees F (5 degrees C) but will be more prone to die back on those nights when temperatures drop below freezing. During the growing season, the plant can grow anywhere from 65-85 degrees F (+18-29 degrees C). In colder climates, this will allow the plant to put on a good show from fall through spring.

Sedum Atlantis does not like cold weather and will be killed by frost. It is hardy to minus 37 degrees F. If the temperature drops below freezing, wrap well with a burlap or a blanket; do not cover the crown of the plant.

Humidity:

Sedum Atlantis is completely drought tolerant and can be grown indoors or in pots outdoors. If the plant is not outdoors, it will not require any additional watering or humidity. It prefers low humidity, especially during the summer months. If conditions are humid, every day or two you can water throughout the day to increase air circulation in the soil.

Fertilizer:

Sedum Atlantis are low maintenance and require little fertilizer. Keep in mind that they can use nitrogen supplements to promote strong growth. Fertilizer that is high in phosphate and potassium are best for sedum.

A balanced fertilizer that is high in N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) can be used if one cannot find a specialized sedum fertilizer. It is best to fertilize in the early spring, -summer, and early fall.

Apply 1/4 of the recommended dosage each time and always apply to moist soil. Avoid applying when rain is expected as this may cause the fertilizer to run off into drains. Sprinkle granular fertilizer or feed with a liquid fertilizer around each plant’s root zone at the start of the growing season. Follow the label for exact dosage rates and application instructions.

Propagation:

Sedum Atlantis can be propagated by stem tip cuttings, division, and seeds in the spring and summer. The easiest way to propagate is by those stem cuttings that lay on the ground.

Simply clip a stem cutting, place it in a small container of soil, and cover to retain humidity. The new plant can be transplanted in about 3-4 weeks or when the roots begin to grow.

Repotting:

Sedum Atlantis needs repotting every 2-3 years during the spring. Repot sedum into a container of sufficient size for its age, re-pot using fresh soil, and remove any old flowers and dead foliage. If they can grow in their current pot, repot them immediately; otherwise, store them in a cool location. After flowering and setting seeds, they will begin to grow stem runners.

If not removed and transplanted, they can take over the container. Remove these stems and pot them in a new container to control the size of the plant.

Make sure that new pots are not filled with any more than 1/2 of the original soil that was used for potting. This will allow for room for root growth.

Pruning:

Sedum Atlantis can be pruned in the spring or fall. Simply cut off stems and leaves as needed to maintain size and shape, but always leave enough behind that it has a chance to create new growth. When pruning, it is best to cut near the base of the leaves and not at the end of leaf stems. This will allow for new growth to develop in the spring or summer.

Pests and Diseases:

Sedum Atlantis are not prone to fungal or viral diseases, but they can be affected by spider mites in dry weather. Look for webs on the underside of the leaves and also inspect under the leaves for orange-brown dust. This is a sign that spider mites have infested your plant. The best way to avoid this problem is to water your sedum extra well, keeping the soil moist at all times.

Does Atlantis Sedum Spread?

Sedum Atlantis spread using its stem fragments breaking off and attaching to a new location. Growing just 6 inches tall and spreading out to 12 inches wide, you will appreciate its compact form. Use it to provide shade for tall sun-loving perennials whose roots benefit from being kept cool.

The stem fragments have the roots attached, they generally take root quickly. This can be a problem with proper plant spacing and tightening the soil around the base of the plant. Allow plenty of space between each plant.

When Sedum Atlantis spreading becomes a problem, clip the tops off and pull up the little ones with their roots attached. You should be able to get nearly all of them if you work at it.

If you leave a plant in place for 2 or 3 years, it will grow into a large specimen. It is an excellent plant for use in rock gardens, and its shallow root system makes it easy to dig up the whole thing and move to another location.

The trailing habit of this mat-forming variety makes it ideal for hanging baskets and cascading over the edges of pots.

This ground cover spreads on the surface by sending out runners of plant material. Sedum Atlantis spreads outward to form a carpet, a clump, or over time can be used to cover an area. The thicker the coverage, the deeper the color and longer it will take to flower. Its flowers are bright pink and appear in mid-spring. They are extremely attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Is Atlantis Sedum Invasive?

Sedum Atlantis is not considered to be invasive. However, it is possible that when growing Sedum Atlantis in mass quantities, it could spread via stem fragments and reseed itself in the garden. Be watchful if you choose to grow this plant around a natural area in your yard; this may prove problematic because the Sedum Atlantis can take over your land quickly due to its shallow root system.

Growing Sedum Atlantis in a garden bed can be a good problem to have! The more you clip the more they grow! If they do become an invasive plant, it generally is not because of their spreading via rhizomes.

While Sedum Atlantis can spread via runners, and reseed itself if left to its own devices, it is not considered invasive. People consider plants invasive when they spread beyond the boundaries of their garden beds. They become a general problem because they are not controlled.

Sedum Atlantis spread using of its stem fragments breaking off and attaching to a new location. It is best to dig up the whole thing and move to another location where it can grow even more. The stems have the roots attached, so you generally don’t have to worry about this, however, if you want to keep the plant contained, it is best to dig up as many runners as possible before they start taking over.

Sedum Atlantis fast-growing plant that can start to invade your garden after only a few years. It is best to keep the plant contained or dug up completely, so it does not spread into other areas of the garden. This will prevent it from becoming a nuisance to your other plants and flowers. The only way it can spread via runners is if the runner plants are not removed and the mom plant leaves are not clipped off. The runners will root into the ground after being severed from the original mother plant.