For gardeners who love a little extra color, consider adding a few Sedum Adolphii to your garden bed or houseplant collection. As its common name (Golden Glow) suggests, this succulent can turn a reddish-orange color when exposed to healthy stressors, which is an amazing way to infuse drama and style into your living space.
How to Identify Sedum Adolphii
This type of succulent can be identified by both its color and its shape. In shaded areas, Sedum Adolphii grows leaves that are mostly pale green and tipped with maroon. When exposed to more sunlight, Sedum Adolphii leaves will turn bright yellow and orange. The plant grows long, thick stems that produce lance-shaped leaves all over them.
Where Does Sedum Adolphii Grow
This succulent is a part of the Crassulaceae or Stonecrop family and is a native of Mexico.
Uses of Sedum Adolphii
Because Sedum Adolphii is a fast grower, it is a great choice to use as a groundcover.
How to Grow Sedum Adolphii from Seed
Most succulents are not primarily propagated from seed, and Sedum Adolphii is no exception. This plant grows much faster when propagated via cuttings, but even with a lack of common usage, this method is still an option for patient gardeners. If you are determined and patient enough to care for Sedum Adolphii seeds, you can walk through the following steps to grow your own plants:
- Store Sedum Adolphii seeds in a cool, dry, and dark place.
- When you are ready to plant (springtime is the recommended time of year), prepare a seed tray by filling it with a seed starting mix.
- Place the seeds on top of the soil and lightly cover them with soil (the seeds should not be covered deeply).
- Water the starting mix until it is moist but not soggy.
- Place the seed tray cover or a piece of plastic over the seed tray.
- Set the seed tray in a room that is warm and has access to plenty of bright but indirect sunlight.
- Moisten the soil when it starts to dry.
- When sprouts appear, remove the seed tray cover or the plastic.
- When the sprouts are large enough, transplant them to a permanent container or garden bed.
Sedum Adolphii Growing Conditions
As with all succulents, the conditions in which they are planted are vitally important to their healthy growth. Sedum Adolphii is not a fussy plant but it does require a specific type of soil and certain quantities of sunlight and water. Let’s look at each of these necessities in further detail now.
Soil
Succulents require soil that is filled with large pieces of non-organic material. This is so that excess water does not become trapped around their root systems causing rot to set in. When you plant a succulent, whether in a container or a garden bed, make sure to use soil that is well-aerated and well-draining.
I really like Superfly Bonsai’s succulent and cactus soil mix. It has no dirt whatsoever and is crafted with the perfect blend of pumice, pine bark, and other materials that promote air movement and water drainage. Plus, if you aren’t happy with the product, the company guarantees they will refund you in full, but I think you will be happy.
Sunlight
Most succulents need a lot of sunlight throughout the day; in fact, if they don’t get at least six hours of full sunlight, they might struggle to grow. When it comes to Sedum Adolphii, you can choose to provide full sunlight for several hours a day and have a lovely looking plant with pale green and maroon tipped leaves or you can provide it with more sunlight than is necessary so that it turns a brilliant orange and yellow. The choice is yours, but do be careful when you apply stressors to change the color of a succulent; too much stress can kill it.
If you cannot provide your Sedum Adolphii with the proper type or amount of sunlight each day, consider investing in some grow lights. These will allow you to grow healthy plants even when the local weather or climate is working against you.
Water
Succulents are notoriously drought-tolerant. This means they tend to get overwatered more than they are under-watered. When succulents get too much water, they can easily develop root rot and die from an oversaturation of liquid in their bodies. The best way to prevent root rot in succulents is to learn how to properly water them. Let’s discuss how to do this now.
Succulents should be watered using the soak and dry method because this watering method limits contact between the plant’s leaves and the water and it allows the roots to get just the right amount of water without being oversaturated. Here are the steps for this method:
- Fill a container (tub, sink, small pool) with water.
- Place the plant container into the container holding the water. The water should not flow above the rim of the plant container, but rather, it should be soaking into the soil through the drainage hole(s) in the bottom of the plant container.
- Allow the water to soak into the soil for 15 minutes.
- Remove the plant container from the water and allow all the excess water to flow out of the soil through the drainage hole(s).
- Repeat this process only when the soil has dried again.
When to Plant Sedum Adolphii
The best time to plant most types of succulents, including Sedum Adolphii, is at the beginning of spring. This allows the plant time to recover from the process and grow throughout the warm months of the year.
How to Plant Sedum Adolphii
While this succulent requires minimal care and no fussy maintenance, there are a few things to consider when it comes to planting it.
Container
If you intend to keep your Sedum Adolphii in a plant container, you should be knowledgeable concerning what type of container is best for it. This succulent requires a plant container that has drainage holes and is made from a material that allows evaporation.
My favorite way to display my succulents is in a traditional terra cotta pot. They look great, they provide the perfect amount of aeration and drainage for succulents, and they are reasonably priced.
Soil
We have already covered this aspect of plant care in the section on Growing Conditions. But as a reminder, Sedum Adolphii requires soil that is well-aerated and well-draining.
USDA Hardiness Zone
This is a very important aspect to consider, especially if you want to use Sedum Adolphii as a groundcover in your outdoor garden space. Since this succulent is not cold hardy, you should only plant it in the ground if you live in hardiness zones 10b to 12. If you live in any other zone, you should either keep your Sedum Adolphii in a portable container that can be brought indoors during cold or rainy weather, allow the plants to die off during winter, or transplant them to an indoor container just before the first frost.
Best Sedum Adolphii Fertilizer
This type of succulent only requires feeding once a year. It should be done during the early days of its growing season to ensure it gets the most out of the fertilizer. I recommend using EarthPods Cactus & Succulent Plant Food Capsules or something similar because they are safe to use around children and pets, they are eco-friendly, and they are easy to use.
Best Sedum Adolphii Companion Plantings
Succulents look nice when potted by themselves, but they look exceptional when paired with other types of succulents. Once you get the hang of growing your Sedum Adolphii, consider providing it with a companion planting for extra flair.
If you are interested in adding to your succulent garden, I’ve pulled together three possible companions for your Sedum Adolphii. These recommendations all have similar care requirements and growing conditions so you won’t need to relearn anything.
Echeveria Elegans
This succulent is also a native of Mexico and grows well in many of the same USDA hardiness zones. Its shape, size, and color will contrast with your Sedum Adolphii in the best of ways. Echeveria are famously easygoing and will quickly grow and reproduce so you will have a full garden bed in no time at all.
Care Tips
Provide your Echeveria Elegans with partial to full sunlight, warm temperatures, an arid climate, and well-draining soil.
Pros
- Echeveria Elegans reproduces through offsets called pups
- Echeveria Elegans requires the same type of weather, water, and soil that Sedum Adolphii requires
Cons
- Echeveria Elegans is not cold hardy
- Echeveria Elegans is susceptible to infestations of aphids, mealybugs, and vine weevils
- The leaves of Echeveria Elegans cannot be cleaned with neem oil because they have a waxy coating on them to protect against sun damage
Sedum dasyphyllum
This is another member of the Crassulaceae family that will turn colors when exposed to healthy stressors. This typically pale green succulent turns a soft lilac when given more sunlight and less water. Not only will this plant make an excellent color combination alongside your Sedum Adolphii, but also, it will provide an excellent amount of groundcover.
Care Tips
Provide your Sedum Dasyphyllum with plenty of bright sunlight and well-draining soil.
Pros
- Sedum Dasyphyllum is tolerant of cold temperatures
- Sedum Dasyphyllum will produce white flowers during the summer
- Sedum Dasyphyllum propagates itself
Cons
- None
Aeonium Arboreum ‘Zwartkop’
This succulent is a native of the Canary Islands and is famously beautiful, hence its nickname, Black Rose Aeonium. It is a stunning plant that thrives in coastal regions but can grow inland when given partial shade.
Care Tips
Provide your Aeonium Arboreum full sun if you live near the coast but partial shade if you live inland.
Pros
- Aeonium Arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ can tolerate temperatures down to 28 degrees Fahrenheit
- Aeonium Arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ is not toxic
- Aeonium Arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ blooms yellow flowers
- Aeonium Arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ can tolerate drought conditions
Cons
- Aeonium Arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ dies after it blooms
- Aeonium Arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ can only be left outside all year in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11
Sedum Adolphii Diseases and Common Problems
The most common problem faced by succulents, including Sedum Adolphii, is root rot. This is a disease that sets in when the plant is overwatered. If left untreated, the plant will eventually succumb to the disease.
Evidence of root rot are
- Yellowed leaves
- Translucent leaves
- Soggy soil
- Odor
- Mushy leaves
The steps to treat root rot are
- Remove the plant from the soil it is currently in
- Dust off the soil from the plant’s root system
- Trim off any rotten roots or leaves with a sterile cutting utensil
- Allow the plant to callous for a few days
- Repot the plant in fresh, clean, and dry soil
- Wait a few days to water the plant
Where to Buy Sedum Adolphii Seeds Online
Purchasing succulent seeds online is risky, but if you are willing to go this route, here are two places that sell Sedum Adolphii seeds.
Seeds Space
Unusual Seeds
Where to Buy Sedum Adolphii Plants Online
I prefer buying plants online rather than seeds since it isn’t quite as risky. By ordering a plant or a cutting, you’ll be able to tell almost immediately if you received the right plant and whether or not it is healthy enough to grow. Here are a few online shops that are currently selling Sedum Adolphii plants:
FAQs
Question: Is Sedum Adolphii Toxic?
Answer: While the ASPCA does not list Sedum Adolphii as a toxic plant, it is still recommended that you keep pets and children from consuming them.
Question: How Big Does Sedum Adolphii Grow?
Answer: This is a fast-growing and spreading plant that, in optimal growing conditions, can cover an entire flower bed or plant container in a short amount of time. Typically, each plant will grow up to 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
Question: Does Sedum Adolphii Produce Flowers?
Answer: Yes, this succulent will bloom in the spring, producing small, white flowers.
Concluding Words
If there is one thing I love about Sedum Adolphii, it is its ability to quickly cover a lot of empty space. Personally, I prefer seeing colorful plants and blossoms all over my garden rather than large plots of brown dirt. With Sedum Adolphii, I can get the look I prefer with very little effort.
That brings us to your gardening preferences. You don’t have to use Sedum Adolphii as a groundcover as I prefer; you can simply add its beautiful structure and color to a few planters or a small garden bed. No matter what you do with it, you can be sure that your Sedum Adolphii will make you smile every time you see it.
Research Citations
- Lophocereus Marginatus (Mexican Fence Post Cactus) - January 10, 2022
- Best Cactus Fertilizer Guide - January 9, 2022
- Selenicereus Grandiflorus (Queen of the Night) - January 3, 2022
