How to Prune Red Sedum

Red sedum, also called blood sedum, is a semi-evergreen ground cover native to Asia. Red sedum is a succulent and it spreads well in nearly any soil type. Six-inch-tall red flowers sprout from the red sedum in the in the summer and last two to four weeks. The foliage turns red in the fall and gives nice color for most of the winter. Pruning red sedum keeps it looking good all year.

Things You'll Need

• Pruners

Instructions

1. Deadhead the flower spikes as they fade in midsummer. Cut the spikes from the red sedum with the pruners at the base of the flower spike.

2. Cut out any dead, diseased or damaged foliage as it occurs in the red sedum regardless of the time of year. Cut the foliage out with the pruners 2 to 3 inches back into healthy foliage.

3. Prune off the dead tops of the red sedum in late winter. Cut the dead tops of the sedum to the ground with the pruners.

References

• University of Arkansa Cooperative Extension Service; Dragon's Blood Sedums; Gerald Klingaman; September 2008
• Washington State University Extension: Red Carpet Stonecrop
• Ohio State University: Sedum Spectabile -- Showy Stonecrop (Crassulaceae)