Stonecrop
Hylotelephium spectabile
A herbaceous perennial succulent with thick, fleshy, grayish-green leaves and large, flat-topped clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers that transition from pink to deep reddish-purple.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water
- Low water requirements. Highly drought-tolerant once established. Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering sessions to prevent root rot.
- Growth
- Herbaceous perennial forming an upright, clump-growing habit reaching 18 to 24 inches in height and a similar spread with a moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun and well-draining soil. Water deeply when the soil is completely dry. Apply a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer sparingly in spring if soil fertility is low.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Low water requirements. Highly drought-tolerant once established. Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering sessions to prevent root rot.
Soil
Prefers loose, sandy, or loamy well-draining soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9.
Growth habit
Herbaceous perennial forming an upright, clump-growing habit reaching 18 to 24 inches in height and a similar spread with a moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Blooms from late summer through autumn, producing dense clusters of pink to deep red flowers.
Propagation
Easily propagated via stem cuttings taken in spring or summer, or by dividing the root clump in early spring as new growth emerges.
Common pests & issues
Generally trouble-free, but susceptible to root rot in poorly draining soils. Slugs and snails may occasionally damage young foliage.
Similar species
Hylotelephium telephium, which features darker stems and more rounded leaf margins compared to the distinctive grayish-green leaves of Hylotelephium spectabile.