Russian stonecrop
Sedum kamtschaticum
Russian stonecrop (Sedum kamtschaticum) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 4–8 in tall and 12–18 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. More restrained than S. spurium; star-shaped yellow blooms age to orange. Bee favorite.
On the CSU listlow water4–8 in tall and 12–18 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Sedum kamtschaticum
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 4–8 in tall and 12–18 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~13–18 in apart
- Growth habit
- Mat-forming
- Foot traffic
- Light foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- sandy, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- yellow, orange
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Pollinator value
- high
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Using Russian stonecrop as a groundcover
Russian stonecrop forms a low mat. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It takes light foot traffic, fine to step across occasionally, but not a play-lawn.
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer; minimal after.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Russian stonecrop good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Russian stonecrop is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Russian stonecrop get?
- It matures to about 4–8 in tall and 12–18 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Russian stonecrop?
- Space Russian stonecrop about 13 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 18 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Russian stonecrop hardy on the Front Range?
- Russian stonecrop is hardy in USDA 3–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Russian stonecrop need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Russian stonecrop native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Russian stonecrop deer-resistant?
- Russian stonecrop is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Russian stonecrop a good firewise plant near the house?
- Russian stonecrop is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Russian stonecrop?
- Russian stonecrop takes light foot traffic. You can step across it occasionally, but it won't hold up as a play-lawn.
- Can Russian stonecrop replace a lawn?
- Yes, Russian stonecrop works as a no-mow lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Russian stonecrop spread or stay put?
- Russian stonecrop is mat-forming. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Russian stonecrop stay green in winter?
- Russian stonecrop keeps partial cover through Front Range winters.
