Autumn Stonecrop
Hylotelephium spectabile
A perennial succulent with thick, fleshy, obovate blue-green leaves arranged in whorls along upright stems, terminating in broad, flat-topped flower clusters.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Water
- Low water requirements; highly drought-tolerant once established. Water thoroughly only when the soil has dried completely, avoiding overwatering to prevent root rot.
- Growth
- Herbaceous perennial forming upright, clump-forming mounds with a mature height of 18 to 24 inches and a spread of 18 to 24 inches, exhibiting a moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun and well-draining soil. Water deeply when the soil is completely dry, and apply a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer once in spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
Watering
Low water requirements; highly drought-tolerant once established. Water thoroughly only when the soil has dried completely, avoiding overwatering to prevent root rot.
Soil
Well-draining, gritty, or sandy loam soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH range between 6.0 and 7.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9.
Growth habit
Herbaceous perennial forming upright, clump-forming mounds with a mature height of 18 to 24 inches and a spread of 18 to 24 inches, exhibiting a moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Blooms from late summer to autumn, featuring tiny star-shaped flowers that open in dense pinkish-red clusters, turning bronze-brown as they mature.
Propagation
Propagated easily by stem cuttings in spring or summer, division of mature clumps in early spring, or occasionally from seed.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to powdery mildew, stem rot in poorly draining soils, and occasionally aphids or mealybugs. Prevent through proper spacing, excellent drainage, and avoiding overhead watering.
Similar species
Similar to other stonecrops such as Hylotelephium telephium, distinguished by its flatter, broader flower heads and slightly broader, glaucous leaves.