Sedum kamtschaticum 12cm — Care & Tips
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It found an opportunity in the gaps between stones 🪨
Family: Crassulaceae • Pot diameter: 12cm • Height: 20cm
Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit: Phedimus kamtschaticus, also known as Sedum kamtschaticum, has been recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society for its consistent ornamental value and reliable performance in suitable growing conditions.
Sedum (Phedimus) kamtschaticus forms vigorous clumps of fleshy, bright green leaves with softly toothed edges and a clean, fresh texture. Its numerous stems spread into a dense low layer, filling the visual field without losing their natural line. In summer, small golden-yellow flowers open like gathered stars above the foliage, while later reddish fruiting heads and warm orange tones appear. This seasonal transition from bright green to gold and terracotta makes it especially expressive next to stone, gravel and ceramic surfaces. It has an effortless character, a clean botanical look and the rare ability to change palette without losing its cohesion.
Place it in an open, well-aerated outdoor position, on a balcony, veranda, roof garden, courtyard or sunny bed. In cooler and mountain regions, it can receive full sun for much of the day. In warm lowland, southern and island regions, prefer morning sun and avoid prolonged exposure to a scorching western wall or metal surface. On a roof garden, choose a position with air circulation and without trapped reflected heat. It is not a plant for deep shade or for a spot where water stands in winter.
The accepted name today: Kew recognises Phedimus kamtschaticus as the accepted botanical name. Sedum kamtschaticum, under which it still widely appears in trade, is the main older name of the same species and not a different plant.
The original publication: The species was published in 1841 as Sedum kamtschaticum by Friedrich Ernst Ludwig von Fischer. In 1995, Henk ’t Hart transferred it to the genus Phedimus, creating the current accepted combination. The change concerns botanical classification and does not indicate a new variety or hybrid.
Natural origin: Its natural range extends from the Russian Far East to northern China and northern Japan, with presence also in Korea. The epithet kamtschaticus refers to the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia. It grows in rocky positions of temperate north-eastern Asia and has a strong, branched woody rhizome.
It is not a cultivar: The product corresponds to the natural botanical species and does not carry a cultivated variety name. It should not be confused with ‘Variegatum’ and ‘Weihenstephaner Gold’ or with the related Phedimus ellacombianus, which have distinct morphological and nomenclatural characteristics.
The distinction: The Royal Horticultural Society still lists it under the name Sedum kamtschaticum and has awarded it the Award of Garden Merit since 1993. The exact species remains on the active official list of awarded ornamental plants with hardiness rating H5.
| 🔎 Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🌿 Scientific name | Phedimus kamtschaticus • Main synonym: Sedum kamtschaticum • Family: Crassulaceae |
| 🪴 Pot/Size | Pot diameter: 12cm • Height: 20cm |
| ☀️ Light | Full sun or morning sun with bright partial shade for the warm Greek climate. Gradual acclimatisation and protection from prolonged hot afternoon sun when the position traps or reflects heat. |
| 💧 Watering | Light: deep watering when the substrate has dried well. Much less frequent in winter, without standing water. During heatwaves we check more often, because drought tolerance does not mean total neglect. |
| 🪨 Substrate | Very well-draining, aerated and poor to moderately fertile mix with a high percentage of pumice, coarse sand or fine gravel. Neutral to slightly alkaline pH. |
| ❄️ Hardiness/Seasonality | RHS H5, around −15 to −10°C in British conditions and with good drainage. Semi-evergreen: in a mild winter it may keep part of its foliage, while in severe cold it thins or dies back and returns from the strong rhizome. |
| 🌱 Growth | Low, spreading and clump-forming, with numerous ascending stems. RHS lists a spread of around 10–50cm in 2–5 years, while Flora of China records flowering stems of 15–40cm. |
| 🌼 Flowering | Dense flat clusters of small golden-yellow star-shaped flowers in summer, attractive to pollinators. Reddish fruiting heads follow and add autumn interest. |
| ✂️ Pruning | Cut flowering stems after bloom for a cleaner form, or leave the reddish fruiting heads for seasonal interest. In spring, remove only dry or damaged parts. |
| 🧴 Fertilising | Minimal. A light application of diluted balanced fertiliser at the beginning of spring growth is enough. Excess fertilising creates soft, loose stems and a less compact appearance. |
| 🔬 Propagation | By division in spring or by soft cuttings of non-flowering stems in early summer. The natural species can also be propagated by seed. |
| 🐾 Toxicity | NC State Extension lists low-severity toxic characteristics, with possible gastrointestinal discomfort after ingestion. We do not consider it edible or safe for chewing and keep it away from small children and pets. |
The orange or copper tone is a normal seasonal response and usually appears as temperature drops and day length changes. Strong light and mild water stress can also enhance the colour. If the leaves remain firm and the base is healthy, it is not a disease. Soft, translucent or blackened parts together with constantly wet substrate indicate a different problem, usually early rot.
Yes, it can be grown on a sunny roof garden and is drought tolerant once established, as long as there is excellent drainage and air circulation. In the Greek summer, however, avoid a position that traps extreme reflected heat from a western wall, metal or scorching floor. In these conditions, prefer morning sun and check moisture more often. Its tolerance does not mean the root should overheat or remain completely dry for many days.
Do not water on a fixed calendar. Check the substrate and water deeply only when it has dried well, letting excess water drain away immediately. In an airy position, quite some time can pass between waterings, while during a prolonged heatwave checks should be more frequent. Wrinkled leaves show advanced thirst; by contrast, soft or translucent leaves and a wet base indicate too much water.
The simplest method is division in spring: carefully separate a section with its own roots and replant it in a very well-draining mix. Alternatively, in early summer, take a soft cutting from a non-flowering stem, remove the lower leaves and let it root in a bright position without extreme sun. Because this is a natural species and not a cultivar, it can also be propagated from seed.
© Original plant description by Greenleaf Garden Center. All rights reserved. | This text is original material. Copying is prohibited (Law 2121/1993).
🔎 Note: Due to the natural diversity of plants, the plant you receive may differ slightly from the one shown in the photo. Shape, size or colour may vary depending on the season, growing conditions and the natural character of each plant.