How Do You Take Care Of A Sedum Sediforme?

How Do You Take Care Of A Sedum Sediforme?

Sedum Sediforme is a succulent that requires little care. It prefers full to partial shade in a well-drained potting mix of sand, peat moss, and perlite. This plant’s leaves are covered in small white flowers that bloom in late spring. The plant’s green leaves are a lacy texture with unique edges that will sparkle on the stem like jewels.

Additionally, because this species is slow growing, it is often used as an architectural addition either indoors or outdoors. It is fairly low maintenance for an indoor plant with some additional care needed when it’s outside for summer or winter weather conditions.

The ideal temperature that this plant should be kept at is between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. During colder temperatures, it should be taken in or brought inside, as freezing temperatures can kill it. The plant prefers to remain in a sunny room or be placed near a window with some direct sunlight. The following are the aspects to consider when caring for Sedum Sediforme:

Watering:

Sedum Sediforme is a drought-tolerant plant that requires moderate water. They thrive with frequent watering from spring through October. Water well, then let the soil dry before watering again. Young Sedums will require additional water for the first several weeks to establish roots.

Soil:

Sedum Sediforme does in sandy, well-drained soil. A soil mix with good drainage should be used for the best results with the plant. The potting soil should be acidic, rich in nutrients, but well-drained. Poor drainage will cause root rot, and the plant will die.

The potting soil should be free of rocks or any other material that can block the drainage holes, but also have adequate air spaces to remove excess water.

Sunlight:

Sedum Sediforme requires full to partial shade and it does better in a sunny window. Although it can be kept outdoors in the cooler months, it prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day and also to be brought inside during cold spells.

If exposed to direct sunlight all day, there may be some browning of the leaves, which are the normal results of sun exposure. A bright spot in an east or west-facing room is ideal for this plant.

Temperature:

Sedum Sediforme is a tender plant that will not tolerate frost. It does, however, thrive in temperatures ranging between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures fall below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant should be brought inside or taken in during the night to allow dormant buds to grow on the stems.

However, it can tolerate temperatures just below freezing if sufficient heat is brought to the soil. Outdoor winter protection should be applied to the plants in winter.

Humidity:

Sedum Sediforme prefers moderate humidity, similar to that which is found in an unheated greenhouse. This can be achieved by misting the plant occasionally and by placing it on a pebble tray filled with water.

Fertilizer:

Sedum Sediforme does not require much fertilizer. A little layer of compost put into the soil will often provide all of the nutrients the plants require. You can use a granular fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Use sparingly and thoroughly soak into the soil.

Propagation:

Sedum Sediforme can be propagated easily by seed, cutting, or division. The best time to propagate Sedum Sediforme is in the spring and summer. When propagating from seed, plant outdoors in the spring. When it has matured and flowered, it is then possible to divide or move some of the plants. However, you should be aware that Sedum Sediforme is a slow-growing plant, and propagation is not always successful.

Repotting:

Sedum Sediforme can be planted in the same pot for years, with soil and root pruning, or you can repot it every 2-3 years. Repotting is best done during the spring, only when new growth is visible. You should wash off the old potting media thoroughly and allow the plant to sit out of doors until it begins to grow again. Then, re-pot in a clean container that has been filled with a good potting mixture.

Pruning:

Sedum Sediforme is somewhat easy to grow and maintain, but they should be pruned in the spring season to remove the dead and damaged leaves. The best time is when new growth has appeared on the new shoots. Keep them trimmed low with long leaves and do not cut them into pale yellow flowers, as this will result in them turning brown.

Dead stems or leaves may be pinched off to promote new, healthy growth. It is also important when pruning this plant that you remove only the stem branches that are completely dead and do not snap off easily.

Pests and Diseases:

Sedum Sediforme is susceptible to infestation by aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs, but does not attract spider mites. The pests may be controlled if caught early by spraying a solution of water and insecticidal soap. The best way to prevent infestation is to use a damp cloth to wipe off the insects when found. 

How Do You Propagate Sedum Sediforme?

Sedum Sediforme can be propagated by seed, cuttings, and division. The best time to propagate Sedum Sediforme is in the spring and summer. When propagating from seed, plant outdoors in the spring.

When it has matured and flowered, it is then possible to divide or move some of the plants. However, you should be aware that Sedum Sediforme is a slow-growing plant, and propagation is not always successful.

When propagating by cuttings, use a rooting hormone and go for semi-hardwood cuttings. You should keep the cuttings in water until they root. Keep the cuttings in a warm spot.

When they root, plant them in the soil or a well-drained potting mix and provide a little fertilizer to encourage good growth. The following are steps to follow when propagating Sedum Sediforme:

Propagation by cuttings;

• Take cuttings during spring or summer.
• Use a sharp knife or razor to make cuttings at leaf nodes. The leaves should be as long as possible.
• Strip off any lower leaves and dip the stem into the hormone rooting compound or water with rooting powder dissolved in it. Scratch some of the compounds into the middle of each cutting using your finger or a pencil eraser to ensure good contact with the stem.
• Place the cuttings into a misted tray of water or a mist system with a dose of hormone. Mist every day until roots are established.
• Once roots are established, move the cuttings to an airy location, out of the direct sun, at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and provide plenty of water. If the temperature rises more than 10 degrees, move the cuttings into the shade for a few days for cooling down, and then re-sprout new leaves and resume watering.
• When the roots are well placed, plant the cuttings in a well-drained soil mix or pots.
• Water them and keep them under good light and temperature conditions until new growth emerges and it is then possible to prune the new shoots to keep them low, with long leaves, by pinching off dead stems or leaves.

Propagation by division;

• Divide the plant in spring or summer.
• Remove the entire plant from its container by loosening the soil around it with a trowel.
• Separate the individual plants with a sharp knife or shears and gently lift each one out of the container.
• Separate any clumps of rhizomes into individual pieces and separate any large root masses from each other to keep them from growing together again in the new site when replanted.
• Put the plant pieces in a shallow tray of water and mist them to wet the soil.
• Re-pot in a well-drained container with some good-quality potting soil and add some fertilizer to help propagate new plants.
• Maintain good light and temperature conditions until they start new shoots and then repot into bigger pots or re-plant into larger containers that can fit several Sedum Sediforme together.

Propagation by seeds;

• Take seeds during spring or summer.
• Keep the seeds dry until you sow them, otherwise, they will quickly lose their viability.
• Prepare a seed-starting container of light soil mixed with some perlite or vermiculite, and add some sand to help prevent the surface from crusting over.
• Fill the container half full with soil and water the mixture well.
• Put the seeds in a single layer and cover them with the soil that should cover them completely.
• Mist with a spray of water and cover with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap until they sprout new leaves. The seedlings will then be ready to be transplanted into individual pots if needed.
• If you have more than one Sedum Sediforme plant, divide the soil mixture in half and distribute half of the soil in each pot.
• When the seedlings are strong enough, repot into larger pots or re-plant into bigger containers.
• Water and maintain good light and temperature conditions until the plants are ready to be moved outdoors.
• Once the seedlings are established in their new location, water them with a well-balanced fertilizer or houseplant fertilizer to help them grow even stronger and healthier.
• Water regularly during the growing season and keep the soil moist at all times.
• Remove dead flowers regularly so that they do not affect the growth of new shoots.