Sedum spathifolium 'Cape Blanco', Cape Blanco sedum
1 / 2
Perennials

Sedum spathifolium 'Cape Blanco'

Cape Blanco sedum

Crassulaceae

Pacific Coast of North America — British Columbia south through Washington, Oregon, and California; coastal rocky bluffs and cliff faces. 'Cape Blanco' from Cape Blanco headlands, Oregon.

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height2-4 inches (5-10 cm); flower stems to 6 inches (15 cm)
Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Container Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

A low-growing, mat-forming succulent perennial in the family Crassulaceae, a selected cultivar of Sedum spathifolium native to rocky coastal bluffs, cliff faces, and rocky outcrops along the Pacific Coast of North America from British Columbia south to California. Plants form flat to slightly mounded mats 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) tall spreading to 12 inches (30 cm) or more, composed of densely packed rosettes 0.75–1.5 inches (2–4 cm) across of thick, spoon-shaped, fleshy leaves covered in an exceptionally dense white waxy bloom (glaucous coating) that gives them an almost chalk-white to silver appearance. This white coloration is the defining trait of 'Cape Blanco' — more intensely silver-white than the straight species, and persisting through the growing season. In May–June, flat-topped clusters of small, star-shaped bright yellow flowers 0.25 inch (0.6 cm) across are held on short stems 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) above the mat. An outstanding plant for rock gardens, green roofs, and dry stone walls. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Native to rocky coastal bluffs, cliff faces, sea headlands, and rocky outcrops along the Pacific Coast of North America from southwestern British Columbia through Washington, Oregon, and California. 'Cape Blanco' is believed to originate from the coastal headlands of Cape Blanco, Oregon. Grows in full sun in very poor, rocky, or gravelly soils with excellent drainage.

Suggested Uses

Planted in rock gardens, alpine troughs, green roofs, dry stone walls, and pavement crevices at 8–12 inch (20–30 cm) spacing. Outstanding for Pacific Northwest native plant gardens where it thrives in its natural coastal cliff habitat. The intensely white rosettes create exceptional visual contrast with dark-colored gravels, basalt, or slate in contemporary dry garden designs. Excellent as a silvery carpet in full-sun conditions where little else survives. Effective in containers and hypertufa troughs.

How to Identify

Identified by flat to slightly mounded mats of densely packed, tiny succulent rosettes 0.75–1.5 inches (2–4 cm) across with spoon-shaped, thick, fleshy leaves covered in a dense white waxy bloom — appearing almost chalk-white to silver. The extremely low growing height (2–4 inches / 5–10 cm), dense chalk-white succulent rosettes, and small bright yellow star-shaped flowers in May–June distinguish 'Cape Blanco' from all other low sedums. More intensely white-silver than the straight species.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

white
silver
gray

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spring
Blooms May through June for 3–5 weeks, producing flat-topped clusters of small bright yellow star-shaped flowers 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) above the silver-white rosette mat. The yellow-on-white color contrast is striking. After bloom, the foliage mat remains ornamentally attractive year-round — the primary interest of this plant is its distinctive silvery-white foliage.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

bright yellow; small flat-topped clusters of star-shaped flowers 3–4 inches above the silver mat in May–June

Foliage Description

chalk-white to silver; thick, spoon-shaped, fleshy, covered in dense white waxy glaucous bloom; densely packed rosettes

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-8 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
sandrockychalk
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun in very poor, sharply drained, rocky or gravelly, neutral to slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0–8.0. Absolutely no tolerance for wet soil or standing water — excellent drainage is essential, particularly in winter. Performs best in lean, nutrient-poor soils; rich or amended soils cause loose rosettes that lose the distinctive silver-white coloration and compact form. Established plants require no supplemental watering in the Pacific Northwest's wet winters. Virtually maintenance-free once established.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems after bloom by cutting at the base of the mat. Remove dead or damaged rosettes in early spring. The plant spreads slowly and rarely requires division or thinning. If the mat becomes too large, lift and replant sections in spring or early fall. No fertilizer, no deadheading, no division required for long-term performance.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springearly spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic
Sedum spathifolium 'Cape Blanco' (Cape Blanco sedum) - Identification & Care Guide | PlantRef