How to Propagate Sedum Plants
Native to the mountainous parts of the Northern Hemisphere, the Sedum genus comprises more than 400 species of succulent plants. Sedums, also known as stonecrops, have thick, fleshy leaves and can grow well in borders, beds or containers. Some sedums are groundcovers, while others are taller shrubs. The most common sedums are smaller plants with bluish-green and burgundy leaves that bloom profusely in small, star-shaped flowers. Sedums are propagated easiest by taking stem cuttings, which won't harm the mother plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Seed tray
- Planter pots, 6-inch diameter
- Potting soil
- Coarse sand
- Pruning shears or sharp scissors
Instructions
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1
Fill a seed tray or 6-inch-diameter planter pot with a mixture of equal parts well-draining potting soil and coarse sand. Ensure that the tray or pot has drainage holes in the bottom.
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2
Snip off the tips of the sedum stems in sections that are 3 to 4 inches long and have three or more leaves each. You can use sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears to take the stem cuttings.
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3
Pick off the lowest pair of leaves from the sedum stem cutting. Cut the rest of the leaves on the stem cutting in half.
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4
Insert the severed end of the sedum cutting into the soil mixture. Ensure that the bottom leaf nodes are below the soil surface.
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5
Water the soil mixture to moisten it thoroughly and evenly. Set the seed tray or pot in a shady spot and water the soil mix once every two or three days to keep it from drying out.
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6
Transplant the propagated sedum plants about six to eight weeks later. Gently remove the sedum cuttings from the seed tray or pot and transplant them outdoors or into individual 6-inch-diameter planter pots filled with well-draining, slightly sandy potting soil.
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Tips & Warnings
The sedum cutting should begin to root after about three weeks. To determine whether the cuttings have rooted, tug gently on the cuttings to feel any resistance. Move the sedum cuttings into partial sunlight or bright indirect light after they root and new growth emerges.
Don't allow the sedum cuttings to dry out, especially while they're in the process of developing roots. Keep the soil mixture moistened at all times.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Sedums used as an outside bedding plant image by Supertrooper from Fotolia.com
