Sedum nussbaumerianum, commonly known as Coppertone Stonecrop, is a low-growing perennial subshrub with attractive thick pointed leaves reaching about 5cm in (or even more) maturity. With leaves that are plump and long, with colors ranging from light yellowish green in the shade to coppery orange in full sun.
Cultivation and History.
Though it is considered native to Mexico, Sedum nussbaumerianum can also be found in the North of New Zealand, Sicily in Italy, and locally on the Canary Islands in Fuerteventura. Sedum nussbaumerianum produces clusters of round white flowers that are lightly fragrant. Due to the hardy succulent nature, these plants can survive in periods of drought and are also known to have high heat tolerance. This plant produces heads of fragrant starry white flowers in the spring that will brighten up any space. Sedum nussbaumerianum grows easily and quickly from cuttings. Coppertone Stonecrop plants have stems that tend to spill out of the pots they are planted in.
Propagation Sedum nussbaumerianum.
One of the easiest succulents to propagate, Sedum nussbaumerianum, is best propagated through stem cuttings. Though you can also propagate them quickly through leaf cutting, it is faster, and you have a higher success rate when using stem cutting to propagate Sedum nussbaumerianum.
To propagate Coppertone Stonecrop from stem cuttings, the first thing you want to do is to get a stem cutting and leave it to dry for a day or so. Next, you let the cut ends dry and seal. After the cut must have healed or dried, you want to put the cuttings in a mix of well-draining potting. When doing this, you should note that you must keep the pot away from direct sunlight and water the soil often to prevent dryness.
You will have new roots growing around two weeks after, and around four to six weeks, the cutting should have been fully rooted, and you might start to notice new growth from either the sides or top of the stem. Lastly, when the stem is fully rooted, you can switch to regular watering and reduce the misting to about once a week or less.
The other way to propagate Sedum nussbaumerianum is through Leaf cuttings. To do this, you must gently remove a healthy leaf from the mother plant. You might want to take more than one leaf. After gently detaching the leaf, you want to leave the lead dry for about a day or two but not under direct sunlight. Once dried, you can now dip the end you cut into a rooting hormone to hasten the process. The next step will require that you prepare the potting mix and lay the leaves flat on the soil. Alternatively, you could stick the ends you cut into well-draining soil. You would notice the leaves rooting within two weeks, and a sedum plant develops within a few more weeks.
How to Grow Sedum nussbaumerianum.
Sedum plants are perennial and easy to grow. Therefore, these succulents are grouped into two depending on their growing habits.
Low-growing sedums are sedum plants that spread along the ground, reaching only a few inches (or less) in height. They make ideal ground covers for pathways, rock gardens, and cascading down stone walls.
Tall, upright sedums form large clumps that produce small flowers in tight groups. Their height, attractive flowers, and ease of propagation make them suitable for gardens and pollinator-friendly areas.
Sedum is sometimes bought in pots or plugs and then transplanted into the garden. The best time to plant sedum seeds is in spring, just before the threat of frost but before you have to worry about the heat of summer. You’ll want to plant sedum seeds in early spring in well-drained, average to rich soil.
When growing Sedum plants, you want to space them about 6 inches and 2 feet apart. However, this depends on the variety. Upright sedums usually stay compact, while low-growing sedums tend to fill in gas.
Suppose you are starting with a full-grown plant or cutting. In that case, dig a hole deep enough so that the top of the root ball is level with the ground’s surface. Then you should put the sedum plant in the hole and ensure not to bury stems, especially upright sedums, as this can lead to rot.
Cuttings are easy to grow under the right conditions, but if you’re trying to transplant cuttings, ensure they have plenty of light and water.
Growing Tips.
Once they have begun to grow, Sedum nussbaumerianum plants do not require much caring. However, during summer, you would need to check them regularly to ensure they are not too dry and so that you can water them if necessary. So far, Sedum plants get rain every couple of weeks; they usually do not require extra watering.
After flowering, you should cut the plants to retain their shape. During winter, you could leave upright sedum flowers alone after they bloom as they will form attractive heeds by themselves.
Lastly, during the spring, you should not forget to divide your plants. This is so that you can control their spread.
Pruning and Maintenance.
Pruning is the easiest part of growing Sedum nussbaumerianum, as they don’t require much care. However, it would be best to pluck off dead leaves and old flowers as soon as you notice them fading or browning. This will keep your Sedum plants looking fresh and healthy.
Cultivars to Select.
Sedum plants have some beautiful cultivars. It has wide varieties, some very interesting and others less attractive. Selecting the suitable cultivar for your garden can help you grow a plant that thrives in your environment and performs well for you.
Sedum nussbaumerianum cultivars come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Selecting the right one for your garden depends on what type of soil you have, how much sunlight it gets, and how much water it needs. Some common characteristics exist among all Sedum nussbaumerianum cultivars, but some will perform better in certain situations than others.
Here are some cultivars to select:
· Sedum humifusum has beautiful, bright yellow flowers and would be helpful as an excellent ground cover.
· The upright Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile) adds bright pink and magenta bursts to your garden.
· The low-growing Sedum (Sedum reflexum) boasts blue-green foliage with spruce-like and yellow flowers.
One essential thing to note when selecting a Sedum nussbaumerianum cultivar is its overall appearance and color.
Light.
To keep your plants happy, they need approximately 4-6 hours of bright light daily. Therefore, these plants will not tolerate poor lighting for extended periods. If, after moving your plant from one place to another, you find that your sedum plant still gets inadequate lighting, consider using a grow light. Grow lights can help to serve as a supplement for long and dark winters when your plants are not getting their lighting requirement.
Sedum nussbaumerianum ‘Coppertone Stonecrop’ can be grown both indoors and out. However, you might want to give them extra sunlight during the winter months if you’re bringing them inside, or else they’ll look a little wilted.
Soil.
Like any other succulent plant, Sedum nussbaumerianum ‘Coppertone Stonecrop’ needs well-draining soil. If you want your plant to be able to thrive, you need to take care of it properly. When planting, use a cactus potting mix combined with perlite for added drainage.
Cactus mix and perlite should be used to make a soil about 2:1 in cactus mix and perlite. You do not necessarily have to measure things precisely. Still, you may want to adjust the proportions if you live in a humid area. If you desire to add sand to your soil, consider using 1:1:1 ratios of the cactus mix, perlite, and coarse sand. You can also make sandy soil by mixing potting soil or cactus with coarse sand in about a 2:1 ratio.
Water.
Sedum nussbaumerianum thrives on a diet of water and sun. Although they are highly adapted to dry conditions, their growth depends on the moisture they receive. Therefore, they need daily monitoring of their moisture needs to ensure proper growth.
Watering succulents largely depends on the climate you live in. In a dry environment, they do best with little water. On the other hand, they need lots of water in a wet environment, but not too much. Unfortunately, there isn’t a set schedule or formula on when to water succulents.
During summer, you should water your Sedum nussbaumerianum as often as every 7-10 days. However, you can reduce your watering frequency to about 10-14 days when the weather cools down during fall and spring. During the winter, you can decide to hold back on watering and rely on rainwater, especially if you stay in an area with a lot of rain. But if you stay in a place where you don’t get any rain during the winter season, depending on how dry the soil gets, you should water your plants every 2-3 weeks or at least once a month.
You do not need much watering if you keep your plants and stay in humid locations. Also, you might not need to do so much watering if your plants are not receiving a lot of light. When you have too much water and insufficient sunlight, that spells disaster for your plant. You can tell whether you need to water your plant by inspecting the soil’s moisture. Before you water your plant, you must ensure the soil’s top inch is dry.
Suppose you are not sure how often you should water or how much water your plants need. In that case, you should note that it is always better to under-water; as time goes on, you can increase the watering. You have to be cautious of your plant’s appearance of your plants to adjust your watering.
Temperature and Humidity.
To encourage flowering, provide succulents with temperatures that correspond with their natural environment. For example, succulents prefer temperatures around 10-13⁰C during the day and at least 15-18⁰C at night. This allows them to bloom during the warm weather when they are most active. Succulents also enjoy warm daytime temperatures of at least (24⁰C) or higher, which mimic their native habitat.
Like most other sedums and cacti, Sedum nussbaumerianum prefers to be grown in a dry environment with humidity requirements of around 40-60%. High humidity would not favor the growth of these succulent plants as it could lead to problems with fungal or insect diseases.
Fertilizer.
While it is not compulsory, you fertilize your Sedum nussbaumerianum plants. When you give these plants the necessary nutrients, you will ensure the proper growth, maturation, and encouragement of blooms. Because it requires tremendous energy for plants to produce flowers, feeding your plants with extra nutrients would help them supplement their needs.
It would be best if you fertilized during the summer, spring, or active growing seasons. Fertilizers are best applied every two weeks at half strength or a quarter. However, you want to abstain from using fertilizers during the winter months or when it is close to the end of the fall season. Blending fertilizer diluted to half strength is usually the best way to go.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases.
Sedums usually require low maintenance and are most susceptible to a few fungal diseases, many of which could be prevented if you plant Sedums in well-drained soils.
The most one disease that affects sedum plants is stem rot disease. The fungus Sclerotium rolfsii causes this Sedum plant disease. Stem rot causes cotton-like growth of mycelium to develop near the crown of the soil and makes the plants’ lower leaves turn white and yellow. In the end, the sedum plant will die.
Caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, Basal rot is another common disease sedum plants are susceptible to. It causes the plant’s basal stem to collapse and turns them brownish or blackish.
Powdery Mildew causes white powdery spores to cover the Sedum’s leaves, more prevalent in humid conditions and with little rainfall.
Gray mold disease is most prevalent during wet and cool conditions. This disease occurs when you allow damaged or old parts of the sedum plants to remain. These parts then serve as entry points for the fungus.
Many fungal species of the Puccinia genus are the causative agents of another common sedum plant disease, Rusts. Rust causes sedum plants to have yellowed surrounding plant tissues with powdery and rust-colored spore growths on their leaves and stems.
Common Problems with Sedum nussbaumerianum.
It’s not unusual for Sedum nussbaumerianum Coppertone to encounter problems. For example, brown leaves usually mean that it has been getting too much sun. Fixing this might mean moving the plant to a shadier place and trimming and reseeding the brown and spotted leaves for new growth.
In cases when you observe yellow leaves in your sedum plants, you should note that this problem might be a cultivation problem. It might be that the soil is either not draining fast enough or too wet. It might be best to repot your sedum plant in a cactus potting mix and add coarse sand and perlite.
When the foliage looks mushy and soft, it’s a sign that you’ve been given too much water. The problem is that the soil doesn’t drain well, leading to root rot. Giving your plant a chance to dry out will help it recover. If it doesn’t dry out fast enough, you can remove the plant and add fresh soil that drains well. It’s also a great time to check for root rot and save any green parts that might be salvageable for repotting.
Managing Pests and Diseases.
Pests of Sedum nussbaumerianum plants are rare and usually don’t attract pests like slugs, whiteflies, aphids, or mealybugs. So if they get infested with these insects, it’s best to eradicate them before the problem worsens.
Sedums are easy to care for. They can be cleaned with plant-safe insecticidal soap, and they’re not considered to be susceptible to most plant diseases. However, they may develop root rot if the soil becomes too wet and cold for long periods, leading them to fall off. To avert this, you should ensure the Sedum nussbaumerianum plants get plenty of water during the summer.
In cases where your sedum plants contract a common stem rot disease, treating it can be pretty challenging. In severe cases, treatment may require you to replace all the soil. You can also manage stem rot by cutting away and destroying plants that have begun to show disease symptoms.
Treating Powdery Mildew will require you to apply the appropriate fungicide to your sedums according to the instructions on the label.
Most fungicides will not work against when your sedum plant has basal rot; like with stem rot diseases, you may need to remove and destroy sedums that have these types of rot.
Best Uses.
Sedum is most commonly used to treat pain and inflammation. Current research aims to discover why it works in this way. In addition, Sedum plant’s small, colorful flowers make it an exciting ground cover for rock gardens or in xeriscaping. The flowers are also lovely in hanging baskets. Still, they can also be grown on walls or inside containers, where they will grow well with many large succulents.
Conclusion.
Sedums are great all season long—they look good and smell good! Their exciting foliage and flowers make them perfect for mass plantings, as edging and ground cover, and for growing in containers. In addition, they make long-lasting cut flowers and are great for attracting butterflies and pollinators to your garden.
Most people have to work hard to get the gold, but not this succulent. Plant it in the right outdoor location and forget about it, and your garden will look like a million bucks before long.
Frequently asked questions?
How do you care for the Coppertone stonecrop?
Coppertone is a very tolerant plant that requires little in the way of special care. In its natural habitat, it lives by itself and doesn’t need a lot of room—it can even be planted in a pot. It thrives on well-draining soil, container drainage holes, and a partially gritty growing medium.
How do you propagate Coppertone stonecrop?
Get a stem cutting and let it dry for at least a day. After the cut has healed, place it in a well-draining potting mix and keep away from direct sunlight.
Are Sedum and Stonecrop the same thing?
Yes, it’s true: Sedum and stonecrop are the same. Sedum, a genus of flowering plants with succulent characteristics, are Crassulaceae that store water in their leaves and stems.
Does stonecrop need sun or shade?
Stonecrops like to grow in full or part sun, depending on the species. However, some stonecrops, such as Sedum ternatum, prefer to grow on top of rocks in dappled shade.
Do you cut back stonecrops in the fall?
You can cut Stonecrops in the fall, wait until early spring, and then remove them to their bases. In colder regions, their foliage will die back and form new rosettes; this new growth can emerge if you cut back sedum plants for the new growth.
How fast does stonecrop spread?
Sedums are easy to grow, but one variety—the fast-growing Angelina—can be planted anytime. It takes a couple of years before it flowers, though.
Is stonecrop sedum invasive?
Low-growing, spreading sedums are easy to remove. Still, they don’t spread aggressively, and their shallow root systems make them ideal for ground cover.
Is stonecrop sedum succulent?
Yes, Stoncecorp is a succulent. They can survive in harsh conditions, thrive in low light, and are still rewarded with stunning colors and blooms.
