Tasteless stonecrop is a vigorous, mat-forming evergreen succulent native to Europe and southwestern Asia that has naturalized across parts of the upper midwest and New England. This low-growing perennial reaches just 3 to 6 inches tall but spreads 12 to 24 inches wide, making it an exceptional ground cover for challenging sites. Bright green, cylindrical leaves arranged in distinctive six-spiral rows give the plant its scientific name, Sedum sexangulare. From June through August, showy yellow flowers emerge to attract butterflies and other pollinators. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, it thrives on neglect, tolerating drought, shallow rocky soil, and urban conditions with equal ease.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-9
6in H x 24in W
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Moderate
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This stonecrop earned its common name because of its bland taste, making it one of the few ornamental sedums you'll never accidentally confuse with an edible species. Its tight, evergreen mat of tiny bright green leaves creates year-round structure in rock gardens and along borders, then transforms in early summer when clusters of cheerful yellow flowers blanket the foliage. The plant's remarkable hardiness to zone 3, combined with its ability to thrive in poor, dry soils where almost nothing else will grow, makes it a genuinely tough performer for gardeners tired of coddling finicky perennials.
Tasteless stonecrop shines as a ground cover for difficult, well-drained sites where conventional plants struggle. It naturally spreads to form dense mats that suppress weeds while requiring virtually no maintenance, making it valuable for xeriscaping and naturalized plantings. The plant works equally well in rock gardens, alpine troughs, and along shallow-rooted areas where deep soil is unavailable.
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Propagate tasteless stonecrop by seed or division. Sow seed directly into well-drained soil and allow plants to naturalize.
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“Sedum sexangulare originated in Europe and southwestern Asia, where it evolved to survive in rocky, nutrient-poor habitats. Its ability to spread and establish itself so readily caught the attention of gardeners, and it escaped cultivation to naturalize across parts of the upper midwest, particularly in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, as well as in New England and Ontario. This spontaneous naturalization reveals the plant's vigor and adaptability, transforming it from a simple garden ornamental into a self-sustaining landscape fixture across temperate North America.”