Sedum Varieties: 8 Low-Water Ground Covers

By Priya Sharma · September 26, 2026

Why Sedum for Ground Cover?

Sedums are succulent plants that store water in their leaves, making them incredibly drought-tolerant. They spread quickly, suppress weeds, and require minimal maintenance once established. Most varieties thrive in full sun and poor soil.

Top 8 Sedum Varieties for Ground Cover

1. Sedum spurium (Dragon's Blood)

Deep red foliage in fall, pink flowers in summer. Spreads 18 inches wide, grows 4-6 inches tall. Hardy in zones 3-9.

2. Sedum album (White Stonecrop)

Tiny green leaves turn reddish in winter. White star-shaped flowers in summer. Excellent for rock gardens and green roofs.

3. Sedum reflexum (Blue Spruce)

Blue-green needle-like foliage resembles tiny spruce branches. Yellow flowers in summer. Spreads up to 24 inches.

4. Sedum kamtschaticum (Russian Stonecrop)

Scalloped green leaves with yellow-orange flowers. Semi-evergreen in mild climates. Tolerates partial shade.

5. Sedum acre (Gold Moss)

Bright golden flowers carpet the plant in early summer. One of the fastest spreaders. Only 2-3 inches tall.

6. Sedum sexangulare (Tasteless Stonecrop)

Dense mat of tiny green leaves, yellow summer flowers. Evergreen in zones 5 and above. Excellent between stepping stones.

7. Sedum spurium Tricolor

Pink, white, and green variegated leaves. Slower grower but stunning visual impact. Best in partial afternoon shade.

8. Sedum floriferum (Weihenstephaner Gold)

Rich golden-yellow flowers, green foliage turns bronze in fall. Dense, uniform growth habit. Very cold-hardy.

Planting Tips

Space plants 12-18 inches apart for full coverage within one growing season. Water weekly until established (about 6 weeks), then reduce to monthly or less. No fertilizer needed in most soils.