Sedum acre
biting stonecrop
Europe, North Africa, and western Asia
Overview
Sedum acre is a low, mat-forming evergreen succulent in the stonecrop family, growing just 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) tall and spreading into dense carpets by creeping, rooting stems. The tiny, fleshy leaves are 0.1-0.2 inch (3-6 mm) long, egg-shaped, and overlap closely along the stems, bright green and turning reddish in drought or cold. The leaves have a sharp, peppery taste that gives the plant its common names. In early summer the stems lift slightly and open flat clusters of small, star-shaped yellow flowers about 0.4 inch (1 cm) across. The plant spreads quickly, and even small broken pieces root where they fall, so it can move beyond its planted area into lawns and gravel. Sedum acre stores water in its leaves and survives heat, drought, and poor, shallow soil, including the thin substrate of green roofs. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia and is naturalized across North America. The sap can irritate skin, and the foliage is mildly toxic if eaten in quantity.
Native Range
Sedum acre is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, where it grows on rocks, walls, dunes, and dry, thin soils. It is naturalized across North America and other temperate regions.Suggested Uses
Grown as a drought-tolerant groundcover in rock gardens, wall crevices, gravel plantings, and green roofs, and between stepping stones. The early flowers draw bees and hoverflies. Its low, spreading mats suit hot, dry spots and shallow soil where most plants fail, though its fast spread makes it ill-suited to small, mixed alpine beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 4"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in early summer, mainly June and July, when the mat is topped with small yellow flowers. The bloom lasts two to three weeks and draws bees and other small insects. The plant stays low and green for the rest of the year.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
bright green, reddish in droughtGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to light shade on dry, sharply drained, sandy, or gravelly soil. Established plants are highly drought tolerant and need no watering once settled. Rich, moist soil and deep shade cause loose, weak growth and rot. The plant tolerates poor, shallow ground, including walls, gravel, and green roofs, and needs no feeding. It spreads fast and roots from dropped fragments, so it is kept away from lawns and choice alpine plantings where it can crowd out neighbors. Light foot traffic does little harm.Pruning
No real pruning is needed. Stems that creep past the intended edge are pulled or cut back through the season to limit spread. Patches that brown or thin out are sheared lightly to prompt fresh growth.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing