Caucasian stonecrop vs Kamchatka stonecrop

Caucasian stonecrop and Kamchatka stonecrop are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover, flowers, pollinator friendly, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Illustration of Caucasian stonecrop

Caucasian stonecrop

Sedum spurium 15 cm × 90 cm after 10 years

A low, succulent ground cover that quickly knits a dense mat with its rooting stems and is covered in pink, red or white starry flowers in summer,…

Ground cover
Full sun
Part shade
from about PLN 13
Illustration of Kamchatka stonecrop

Kamchatka stonecrop

Sedum kamtschaticum 15 cm × 45 cm after 10 years

A low, dense, mat-forming succulent perennial that covers itself in golden yellow star flowers in summer and turns orange to reddish in autumn. It…

Ground cover
Full sun

Key differences

  • Caucasian stonecrop spreads wider: 15 cm × 90 cm after ten years, against 15 cm × 45 cm for Kamchatka stonecrop.

Watch out for

Caucasian stonecrop
In Central Europe it escapes from gardens easily and can crowd out native plants in dry grassland and rocky habitats; Switzerland has banned its sale and the German nature conservation agency has assessed it as invasive. Do not plant it near natural or rocky grassland or protected areas, and do not dump broken stem pieces on the compost or at the garden edge, because they root. In wet, heavy soil the crown rots, and slugs and snails may chew the young shoots.
Kamchatka stonecrop
Root rot in poorly drained, wet soil. No serious pests or diseases.

The data side by side

Feature
Caucasian stonecrop
Kamchatka stonecrop
Group Ground cover Ground cover
Size after 10 years 15 cm × 90 cm 15 cm × 45 cm
Ultimate size 5–15 cm × 45–90 cm 8–18 cm × 25–45 cm
Growth rate Fast (uncertain) Medium
Light Full sun, Part shade Full sun
Soil Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous Average garden soil, Sandy
Hardiness down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance High High (uncertain)
Foliage Semi-evergreen Semi-evergreen
Flowering June–August, pink, red, white June–August, yellow
Water need Low Low
Drought tolerance High High
Maintenance Low Low
Planting distance 30 cm 30 cm
For dogs no data Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats no data Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children Mildly toxic (uncertain) Mildly toxic
Typical price approx. PLN 13 no data

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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