Light
Full sun suits it best. Missouri Botanical Garden says it tolerates some light shade, and NC State Extension rates the species for part shade, meaning 2–6 hours of direct sun a day.
Water
Water new plants until they root in. After that it's drought tolerant and copes with very dry soil, so rain is usually enough in the ground. In pots, water when the mix has dried out. Overwatering is the quickest way to lose it.
Soil & pots
Lean, well-drained soil suits it, whether sandy, gravelly or shallow and rocky. It tolerates poor and acidic soil, but not soil that stays wet. Use it on banks and slopes, along edges, in stone wall pockets, in rock gardens and in outdoor containers. For a ground cover, set plants about 12 inches apart.
Temperature
Hardy in USDA zones 4–9 (NC State Extension rates the species 3–9), and the RHS gives it H7, its toughest rating. It's semi-evergreen. The older leaves low on the stems are shed, while the newer ones near the tips turn deep red in fall and stay on through winter.
Is Dragon's Blood sedum safe for pets?
Pet safety not yet confirmed. It isn't on the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant lists, and we haven't found a veterinary source. NC State Extension rates Phedimus spurius low-severity for people, with possible stomach upset if eaten. We haven't found a reliable source yet, so keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.
Propagation
Dragon's Blood roots at its stem joints as it creeps, so it's easy to multiply. The RHS suggests dividing it in spring or taking softwood cuttings in early summer.
- In spring, lift a rooted piece from the edge of the mat.
- Replant it in sunny, well-drained soil about 12 inches from its neighbors, and water it in.
- For cuttings, snip shoot tips with 1–2 inches of stem in early summer.
- Push the stems into gritty soil with the leaves above the surface, and keep it lightly moist until they root.
Common problems
FAQ
Is Dragon's Blood a Sedum or a Phedimus?
Kew's Plants of the World Online now accepts Phedimus spurius for this species. Dragon's Blood was bred in Germany as 'Schorbuser Blut' and is sold in the US under the Dragon's Blood name, usually still labeled Sedum spurium. Same plant, new label.
Why is my Dragon's Blood sedum turning red?
That's the point of it. The leaves start green with purple-red edges and, according to Missouri Botanical Garden, turn entirely red by fall. The leaves near the stem tips keep that color through winter.
How fast does Dragon's Blood sedum spread?
Steadily, and it stays low. It grows 3–6 inches tall and 12–18 inches wide, rooting as it goes. Set plants about 12 inches apart and they'll knit into a mat.
When does Dragon's Blood bloom?
In summer. Small, star-shaped flowers in pink to red open above the leaves, from midsummer into early fall in Missouri Botanical Garden's notes. Bees and butterflies visit them.
Is Dragon's Blood sedum toxic to cats and dogs?
We don't know for sure. It isn't on the ASPCA's lists and we haven't found a veterinary source. NC State Extension rates the species low-severity for people, so it's best not to let pets graze on it.
Sources
- Phedimus spurius (Plants of the World Online, Kew)
- Sedum spurium, a synonym of Phedimus spurius (Plants of the World Online, Kew)
- Sedum spurium 'Schorbuser Blut' DRAGON'S BLOOD (Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden)
- Sedum spurium 'Schorbuser Blut' (RHS)
- Phedimus spurius (NC State Extension Plant Toolbox)
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, Cats (ASPCA)
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, Dogs (ASPCA)