Perennial succulent, evergreen and groundcover, which develops creeping and rooting stems capable of forming dense clumps about 5–10 cm high. The flowering stems are more erect and can reach approximately 10–15 cm.

The leaves are very small, fleshy, linear and cylindrical, about 3–6 mm long, and are densely arranged around the stems, usually forming six spiral rows, a characteristic that gives the species its name. They are bright green and, with intense cold or high radiation, can take on coppery or reddish hues.

It is a species especially suitable for covering small surfaces, rockeries, walls, low pots and xerophytic arrangements.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family

Family: Crassulaceae.

Sedum sexangulare is a species whose natural range is mainly found in Europe, from Central and Eastern Europe to various regions of the Mediterranean and the Balkans.

It grows on rock outcrops, dry grasslands, sandy soils, walls, embankments and other open environments, generally with good drainage and high sun exposure. Its ability to live in poor and shallow substrates explains its excellent performance as a xerophytic groundcover plant.

❄️ Temperature

USDA Zone: 3–9 

It is one of the Sedum included in this collection with the greatest cold resistance. It can tolerate minimum temperatures of up to −20 °C.

This high resistance does not mean that it should be kept permanently moist during the winter: cold and excess water at the same time continue to be an unfavorable combination for any succulent plant.

☀️ Lighting

Indicative PAR DLI: 15–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹.

It is recommended to have full sun or very bright exposure. High radiation keeps the stems compact, promotes greater foliage density and can intensify the coppery or reddish hues that appear under certain conditions. The RHS specifically recommends full sun.

It tolerates some partial shade, but with lower light intensity it may lose density and acquire a more open growth.

💧 Growth cycle and watering

Opportunistic. It is a perennial and evergreen species, capable of maintaining activity for much of the year. Its growth is especially active during seasons with moderate temperatures, while it may slow down during episodes of extreme heat or intense cold.

During the active period, it is recommended to water abundantly, then allowing the substrate to dry out completely before watering again.

It is drought tolerant once established. In winter, especially with low temperatures, watering should be spaced out and the substrate should be prevented from remaining moist for prolonged periods.

🌸 Flowering

Flowering occurs mainly between June and July. The flowering stems stand out above the clump and produce branched inflorescences with numerous small, star-shaped, bright yellow flowers.

Under Madrid's growing conditions, flowering may be concentrated approximately between June and July, although it may occur earlier or later depending on the spring.

🌿 Nutrition

During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, applied moderately. As it is a species with naturally compact growth and adapted to poor soils, it does not need high fertilization. An excess of nitrogen can cause overly soft growth and reduce the density of the clump.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi.

Basic 13x13 cm collection pot