Best Upright Sedum (10 Tall Stonecrop Varieties)


Looking for taller succulents that can tolerate drought, heat, and maybe even a little cold? If so, there are some sedum varieties that fit the bill– and there are lots of these upright stonecrop varieties available to choose from.

So, what are the best upright sedum varieties? Some great upright sedum varieties for a drought-tolerant landscape include: Autumn Joy Sedum, Back in Black Sedum, Blue Pearl Sedum, Brilliant Sedum, Matrona Sedum, Night Embers Sedum, Pillow Talk Sedum, Thunderhead Sedum, Touchdown Teak Sedum, and Xenox Sedum.

Some of these sedums can tolerate severe cold (well below freezing), but others cannot withstand frost or freezing temperatures. So, check the details below (USDA Zone Hardiness) before you decide on a variety.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 10 upright stonecrop varieties, many of which are at least 1 or 2 feet tall (or more) at maturity. You’ll find information on sedum care including soil pH and moisture, required sunlight, mature size, and propagation methods.

Let’s get started.


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Best Upright Sedum (10 Tall Stonecrop Varieties)

There are lots of upright sedum varieties that stand tall and resist heat and drought – here is a list of 10 to start:

  • Autumn Joy Sedum
  • Back In Black Sedum
  • Blue Pearl Sedum
  • Brilliant Sedum
  • Matrona Sedum
  • Night Embers Sedum
  • Pillow Talk Sedum
  • Thunderhead Sedum
  • Touchdown Teak Sedum
  • Xenox Sedum

Let’s begin with Autumn Joy Sedum.

Autumn Joy Sedum

Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile), is a drought tolerant perennial sedum that produces clusters of small, star-shaped, pink flowers in summer and fall.

Autumn Joy Sedum produces clusters of pink flowers in summer to fall.

Autumn Joy Sedum needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Autumn Joy Sedum prefers full sun. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0 or higher).

Autumn Joy Sedum can tolerate intense cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 3a (as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or –40 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches, with a width of 18 to 24 inches.

You can propagate Autumn Joy Sedum by leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Autumn Joy Sedum from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Autumn Joy Sedum from Bluestone Perennials.

Back In Black Sedum

Back In Black Sedum is a drought tolerant perennial sedum that produces clusters of cream and red colored flowers in late summer.

Back In Black Sedum needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Back In Black Sedum prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0 or higher).

Back In Black Sedum can tolerate intense cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 3a (as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or –40 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 20 to 24 inches, and they should be planted 26 to 30 inches apart.

You can propagate Back In Black Sedum by leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Back In Black Sedum from Great Garden Plants.

You can find Back In Black Sedum from Bluestone Perennials.

Blue Pearl Sedum

Blue Pearl Sedum is a drought tolerant perennial sedum has plum-colored foliage and produces clusters of bright pink flowers in late summer through fall.

Blue Pearl Sedum needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Blue Pearl Sedum prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0 or higher).

Blue Pearl Sedum can tolerate severe cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 4a (as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit or –34 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 8 to 15 inches, and they should be planted 10 to 12 inches apart.

You can propagate Blue Pearl Sedum by leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Blue Pearl Sedum from Monrovia.

You can find Blue Pearl Sedum from Bluestone Perennials.

Brilliant Sedum

Brilliant Sedum is a drought tolerant perennial sedum produces clusters of pink to red flowers in midsummer through fall.

Brilliant Sedum Stonecrop
Brilliant Sedum has clusters of pink to red flowers in midsummer through fall.

Brilliant Sedum needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Brilliant Sedum prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0 or higher).

Brilliant Sedum can tolerate intense cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 3a (as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or –40 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of about 18 inches, and they should be planted 12 inches apart.

You can propagate Brilliant Sedum by leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Brilliant Sedum from Gardenia.

You can find Brilliant Sedum from Bluestone Perennials.

Matrona Sedum

Matrona Sedum is a drought tolerant perennial sedum produces clusters of pale pink star-shaped flowers in summer and fall.

Matrona Sedum needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Matrona Sedum prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0 or higher).

Matrona Sedum can tolerate intense cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 3a (as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or –40 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 18 to 30 inches, with a width of 12 to 30 inches.

You can propagate Matrona Sedum by division, leaf cuttings, or by seed.

You can learn more about Matrona Sedum from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Matrona Sedum from American Meadows.

Night Embers Sedum

Night Embers Sedum is a drought tolerant perennial sedum produces clusters of pale pink flowers in late summer through fall.

Night Embers Sedum needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Night Embers Sedum prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0 or higher).

Night Embers Sedum can tolerate intense cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 3a (as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or –40 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of about 24 inches, and they should be planted 24 inches apart.

You can propagate Night Embers Sedum by leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Night Embers Sedum from Gardenia.

You can find Night Embers Sedum from Bluestone Perennials.

Pillow Talk Sedum

Pillow Talk Sedum is a drought tolerant perennial sedum produces clusters of pink flowers in late summer through early fall.

Pillow Talk Sedum needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Pillow Talk Sedum prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0 or higher).

Pillow Talk Sedum can tolerate intense cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 4a (as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit or –34 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 20 to 24 inches, with a width of 12 to 24 inches.

You can propagate Pillow Talk Sedum by leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Pillow Talk Sedum from the Missouri Botanical Garden.

You can find Pillow Talk Sedum from American Meadows.

Thunderhead Sedum

Thunderhead Sedum is a drought tolerant perennial sedum produces clusters of pink flowers in midsummer through mid-fall.

Thunderhead Sedum needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Thunderhead Sedum prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0 or higher).

Thunderhead Sedum can tolerate intense cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 4a (as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit or –34 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of about 24 inches, with a width of about 24 inches.

You can propagate Thunderhead Sedum by leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Thunderhead Sedum from Gardenia.

You can find Thunderhead Sedum from American Meadows.

Touchdown Teak Sedum

Touchdown Teak Sedum is a drought tolerant perennial sedum produces clusters of red flowers in mid to late summer to early fall.

Touchdown Teak Sedum needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Touchdown Teak Sedum prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0 or higher).

Touchdown Teak Sedum can tolerate intense cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 4a (as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit or –34 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 12 to 24 inches, with a width of 12 to 24 inches.

You can propagate Touchdown Teak Sedum by leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Touchdown Teak Sedum from Gardenia.

You can find Touchdown Teak Sedum from Bluestone Perennials.

Xenox Sedum

Xenox Sedum is a drought tolerant perennial sedum produces clusters of pink flowers in midsummer to fall.

Xenox Sedum needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Xenox Sedum prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0 or higher).

Xenox Sedum can tolerate severe cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 3a (as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or –40 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 12 to 24 inches, with a width of 12 to 24 inches.

You can propagate Xenox Sedum by leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Xenox Sedum from Gardenia.

You can find Xenox Sedum from American Meadows.

Conclusion

Now you have a list of 10 upright stonecrop varieties to use in your landscape if you want drought-tolerant sedum that stands tall. If you live in an area with cold winters, make sure to choose one that can tolerate your USDA Hardiness Zone!

You can find stonecrop varieties with all sorts of different colors here.

You can also find a list of 10 ground cover sedum varieties here.

If something is chewing on your stonecrop, you can find out what it might be here.

I hope you found this article helpful.  If so, please share it with someone who can use the information.

You can learn more about stonecrop care requirements in these articles:


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Jon M

Hi, I'm Jon. Let's solve your gardening problems, spend more time growing, and get the best harvest every year!

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