What soil does Showy stonecrop grow in?

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

Is Showy stonecrop hardy?

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

When does Showy stonecrop flower?

Flowering: August–October, pink, red, white.

How much water does Showy stonecrop need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Showy stonecrop cost?

It sells for roughly €4 to €9.50 in local shops, depending on size.

Showy stonecrop

Sedum spectabile

Showy stonecrop (Sedum spectabile) is a perennial. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €4.

Illustration of Showy 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 succulent perennial forming a neat clump of fleshy, blue-green leaves, with flat, hand-sized flower heads from late summer into autumn that are crowded with butterflies and bees. It wants full sun and poor, well-drained soil and copes very well with drought; in shade or in rich, watered ground it grows soft and flops open. Leave the dried brown heads standing over winter, when they look good with frost and snow, and cut them down in spring. Cultivars differ in flower colour and height: 'Brilliant' is bright pink, 'Carl' and 'Neon' strong carmine pink, 'Stardust' and 'Iceberg' white; the shorter ones are less likely to fall apart.

Watch out for

In rich, moist soil or with too little sun the stems fall outwards at flowering time and the clump opens in the middle; pinching the shoots back by half in late May and dividing every few years helps. In waterlogged soil the crown and roots rot. Aphids, slugs and vine weevil larvae attack it occasionally, and deer like to browse it.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 50 cm × 50 cm
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D August–October, pink, red, white

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	50 cm × 50 cm
Ultimate size	30–60 cm × 30–60 cm
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Clay, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	August–October, pink, red, white
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	40 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €4

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

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €4 – €9.50

Frequently asked questions

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

Appears in these lists

Perennials for full sun Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant perennials Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Perennials for clay soil Perennials for pollinators Plants for containers Low-maintenance perennials

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