Sedums decorate themselves with bright flowers from August until well into autumn. In this article we will show you which varieties of these grateful flowering plants can be cultivated in pots and how to care for them properly.
Can I cultivate sedum in a pot?
Both the up to 70 centimeter highhigh Sedum varietiesas well as thesmall varieties can be easily planted in balcony boxes or pots. However, in order to thrive, the requirements of the undemanding and easy-care perennials must be met.
Which varieties of Fat Hen are suitable as potted plants?
Almost all variants of the fat hen can be cared for in a pot. Some very beautiful varieties are listed below:
| Name | Appearance | Growth height |
|---|---|---|
| High stonecrop 'Autumn Joy' (Sedum telephium 'Autumn Joy') | Grey-green foliage, large, brown-red flower umbels | 70 centimeters |
| Large-leaf 'Matrona' (Sedum telephium 'Matrona') | Red-brown leaves, pink to purple inflorescences | 50 centimeters |
| Magnificent fat leaf 'Stardust' (Sedum spectabile 'Stardust') | Light green foliage, bright white flowers | 40 centimeters |
| Carpet fat leaf 'Voodoo' (Sedum spurium 'Voodoo') | Dark green to deep red, crimson flowers | 15 – 30 centimeters |
What location does the stonecrop need?
The fat henprefers locations in full sun, although some variants also thrive inpartial shade. Even shady places are tolerated, although the leaf color may be less intense and the flowers may be somewhat sparser.
Which substrate is suitable for the sedum?
Since thewater permeabilityof the substrate isimportant, conventionalpotted plant soilshould be mixed with a third of sand orLavagries mixed.
Sedum hens react sensitively to waterlogging. Therefore, the planter you choose should have good water drainage. Cover the holes in the bottom of the bucket with pottery shards and fill in a layer of expanded clay about two centimeters thick.
How is the fat hen cared for in the pot?
The thick-leaf plant isvery undemandingand tolerates temporary drought well. Thecareis thereforeuncomplicated:
- Water whenever the top few inches of soil feel dry (thumb test).
- Fertilize every six weeks with half the dose of a green plant or cactus fertilizer.
The plants must not be over-fertilized because if there is too much nitrogen they will form long and weak shoots that can fall apart unsightly.
How is the sedum planted in a pot overwintered?
Almost all varieties of the fat hen are up to -25 degreeswinterhardIt is sufficient to move the pots to aprotected place in the autumn near the house. Only in rough locations should you protect the planters from severe frosts with polystyrene sheets or bubble wrap.
Even in the winter months, the pot ball must never dry out completely. Therefore, water sparingly on frost-free days.
Tip
Don’t cut fat hens until spring
The above-ground plant parts of the sedum wither in autumn. Covered in hoarfrost, they look very pretty and should be left on the plant. They are then cut back shortly before new growth. In May, a topiary cut is carried out in which the outer shoots are shortened quite a bit. This creates a spherical shape and extends the flowering period.
