What soil does Cliff stonecrop grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Is Cliff stonecrop hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Cliff stonecrop toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

When does Cliff stonecrop flower?

Flowering: August–October, pink, purple.

How much water does Cliff stonecrop need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Cliff stonecrop

Sedum cauticola

Cliff stonecrop (Sedum cauticola) is a ground cover plant. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Mildly toxic to children.

Illustration of Cliff stonecrop — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A low, trailing stonecrop with fleshy blue-grey leaves, topped by rosy-purple star flowers from late summer to mid autumn. It suits rock gardens, the tops of retaining walls and stone troughs, and copes well with drought and full sun. Drainage matters most: it rots in heavy soil that stays wet in winter, so plant it in loose, gritty ground.

Watch out for

The crown rots over winter in heavy, waterlogged soil. Slugs and snails chew the young shoots, and in pots vine weevil grubs can damage the roots. In shade it gets leggy and flowers poorly.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 15 cm × 30 cm
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D August–October, pink, purple

Group	Ground cover
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	15 cm × 30 cm
Ultimate size	5–20 cm × 20–30 cm
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	August–October, pink, purple
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	25 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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Ground cover plants Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants for containers Plants for a Mediterranean garden

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