Moss Stonecrop is a diminutive evergreen succulent that grows barely 3 inches tall but spreads relentlessly across the ground like living moss, eventually covering 24 inches or more in a dense carpet of tiny fleshy leaves. Native to rocky outcrops and scrubby areas across Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia, this hardy perennial thrives in hardiness zones 4 through 9 and produces showy golden-yellow flowers from June through July. It asks almost nothing of you: full sun, well-drained soil, and virtually no supplemental water once established, making it an exceptionally low-maintenance ground cover for gardeners tired of coddling plants.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-9
3in H x 24in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
This plant spreads in a genuine moss-like fashion, creating an intricate carpet of blunt, thickly clustered leaves that grow even more densely when stressed by poor soil or dry conditions. The rhizomatous, tuberous-rooted system allows it to propagate almost absurdly easily from single stem segments simply pressed into the ground. Its tolerance for hot, dry sites, poor soils, shallow rocky ground, and even occasional foot traffic makes it one of the most unfussy ground covers available, thriving where most perennials would struggle.
Moss Stonecrop serves as an exceptional ground cover for areas where typical lawn grasses fail, particularly in shallow rocky soils, dry banks, and sun-scorched sites. It naturalizes beautifully in rock gardens, coastal landscapes, and other low-input settings where you want plants to establish themselves and spread without fussing. Its ability to tolerate foot traffic and poor soils makes it valuable for paths and hardscape edges where more refined plants would be trampled or starved.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Press stem segments directly into prepared soil where you want them to grow; no special hardening off is required. The plant establishes quickly in spring or early summer when soil is warm and drainage is optimal.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Sedum acre is native to the rocky crevices, ravine edges, and scrubby landscapes of Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia, where it evolved to survive in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. The species has been cultivated for centuries as a ground cover in European gardens precisely because of its ability to flourish in shallow, nutrient-poor soils and full sun exposure that would defeat more demanding plants. Its common names reflect both its appearance and utility: gold moss stonecrop for its golden-yellow flowers and moss-like growth pattern, and common stonecrop for its ubiquity in traditional gardens.”