Russian stonecrop
Sedum kamtschaticum
Russian stonecrop (Sedum kamtschaticum) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 4 to 8 in tall and 12 to 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 to 8 in tall and 12 to 18 in wideXeric / water-wiseLow ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 10/10Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) sergleb, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Urgamal Magsar, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Юлия, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 9
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- sandy, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 4 to 8 in tall and 12 to 18 in wide
- Growth habit
- Mat-forming
- Planting spacing
- ~13 to 18 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Bloom color
- yellow, orange
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- Light foot traffic
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 10/10
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 to 8 in tall and 12 to 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 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 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 rated 10 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), 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.
