Coppertone, Sedum nussbaumerianum – Details, Growing Tips
The Coppertone, Sedum nussbaumerianum, sometimes called Coppertone Sedum or Stonecrop, is almost always on a person’s list of favorite terrarium succulents. It is a hardy and versatile plant that looks and grows great indoors and outside.
Common Names
Coppertone Sedum, Stonecrop, Showy Stonecrop, Everlasting, Nussbaumer’s Sedum, Donkey Tail Sedum
Scientific Binomial Name
Sedum nussbaumerianum
Description of Coppertone, Sedum nussbaumerianum
Coppertone, Sedum nussbaumerianum, is a low-growing succulent with yellow-green (when in partial shade) or bright copper-red to rosy-gold (when in full sun) leaves. The puffy leaves are pointed at the tips. These plants are known for attracting butterflies. The flower heads will in time mature into maroon-brown seeds that become a great food source for visiting birds. Gardeners love this succulent since it is easy to care for and it has dramatic striking looks.
Max Growth: Height 6 – 12 inches; Spread about 1 – 3 feet.
Outside Spacing: 6 – 8” apart.
Pot Size: The maximum pot size you need is only 4”.
Uses: Thrives both indoors and outside. It is drought-tolerant and suitable for xeriscaping. It is often used outside as a ground cover. These do well in hanging baskets, dish gardens and in terrariums.
Growing Conditions for Coppertone, Sedum nussbaumerianum
Light: Does best in full sun. It does tolerate shade but it will not be as colorful.
Temperature: Between 55-65 F (15-23 C)
Humidity: Prefers dry air.
Soil: This will grow in almost any soil but half soil mixed with half sand or pumice is best.
Growing Season: Spring through the end of summer.
Flowers: In late summer these produce large domed clusters of white or pink to red star-shaped flowers. Some varieties will bloom in winter and spring.
Outside Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. This is not a cold-hardy succulent. In freezing areas you should bring it inside and then replant it after the last frost.
Sedum nussbaumerianum [also called Coppertone or Coppertone Stonecrop]. Adam at Grow Plant Art and this is Coppertone from the Sedum genus. It's also known as the Stonecrop.
It's a very easy plant to grow and the leaves can be from green to red and are fleshy as you can see it's very cute. Its flowers are yellow or white. And a requirement more than minus five degrees Celsius, it can survive frost.
A drained soil even a little bit sandy can be great. You can start from seeds, but it is better to start from cuttings, it is just easier.
When you move it if you have it in a pot, when you move it it's very fragile it can break. It's slow growing, requires small amount of water first time to full shade. So it means that it can grow as house plants. It's a great house plant.
It blooms in the spring. There isn’t so much requirement. The main requirement it's not to put too much water to let it dry between each one. Each time that you put water and to give it very well-drained soil. Except this, take it take your time and let it grow.
It's not, another thing if you want to start from cutting when you cut it you need to wait a little bit. After you cut for two or two to four weeks to wait. Let it heal that is where is the cut, let it become the heal itself. Remember that the cleansed heal itself you can put it in the soil and just to start a new plant.
That's all for Grow Plants dot org.
General Care for Coppertone, Sedum nussbaumerianum
Water: Water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Make sure the water drains well and do not leave water standing in the tray. Water them much less in the fall and winter. Overwatering will cause roots to rot.
Fertilizer: If needed feed once in the spring with a ½ diluted fertilizer.
Pests and Diseases: If the lower leaves of the plant start turning yellow it may be caused by a soilborne fungus called Sclerotium rolfsii. This leads to stem rot and will eventually kill the plant. You can stop the infection by digging out and then destroying any affected plants. Since Sclerotium rolfsii is a speading soilborne pathogen, you should remove and replace the top 8 inches or more of infected soil.
If the whole Sedum nussbaumerianum wilts and falls, instead of just the leaves, it is likely the fungus Colletotrichum. You will see white spots on the lower stems. The fungus usually spreads in wet conditions. You will need to remove all the affected plants and replace infected soil.
Pruning: The more you prune the more growth you get.
Propagation: It often works outside to simply lay a leaf down on the ground and cover it with a fine layer of soil and it will root itself. You can also cut off and plant a whole runner.
Medicinal and Other Uses
None
Cautions
None
Native Distribution
Mexico, Italy, Canary Islands
Other Tips:
The bright orange in the Coppertone creates a stunning contrast alongside green or soft grey succulents.
You may find this succulent to buy named Donkey Tail Sedum, Coppertone Sedum, Everlasting, Stonecrop, Coppertone, Showy Stonecrop, or Nussbaumer’s Sedum.
Other References
A PILOT GREEN ROOF RESEARCH PROJECT IN SINGAPORE
The Coppertone (Stonecrop), Sedum nussbaumerianum, was tested along with 42 other plants to determine which ones would be ideal for green roofs. The research project was done in Singapore which for decades has battled air pollution and searched for energy efficiency methods. After extensive research the Sedum nussbaumerianum, was determined to be one of the “Plants observed to be thriving on the green roofs.” The study concluded, “This is a significant project for the green roof movement in Singapore. Primarily, the data collected for this project showed that even in the humid tropics, green roofs experience xeric conditions, and water stress arising from non-uniform or insufficient rainfall is likely to the be the most limiting factor for plant establishment and growth. Plant selection thus needs to focus on plants are drought tolerant, or those that regenerate rapidly from seeds or underground structures such as rhizomes, swollen roots, bulbs, etc. and other storage organs upon return of rainfall. …The air quality studies provided an indication that green roofs can help to reduce the level of atmospheric pollutants arising from traffic emissions in the vicinity of the roof.”
