Biting stonecrop (Sedum acre)
Care, watering, light and tips for Biting stonecrop on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 14 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Biting stonecrop
Sedum acre, also known as goldmoss sedum or bitterbergknapp, is a small, perennial succulent that forms dense, low-growing mats, ideal for rock gardens, green roofs, or as ground cover. Its creeping stems are covered with bright green, fleshy leaves, which take on reddish hues with intense sun exposure or cold. In summer, it produces abundant star-shaped yellow flowers that attract pollinators.
Native range
Europe, Anatolia, and the Caucasus
Care tips
It requires full sun for compact growth and abundant flowering, although it tolerates some partial shade. Watering should be infrequent, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings, as it is very susceptible to overwatering. It prefers well-drained, poor soils, such as cactus and succulent mixes or sandy soils. A common mistake is overwatering, which can quickly rot its roots.
How to save a dying Biting stonecrop
- Warning signs
- Soft, wrinkled, non-turgid leaves; etiolated (long, weak) stems searching for light.
- First aid
- Move to a sunny spot. If very wrinkled, light watering at the base, letting it dry completely.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and lack of light. It doesn't tolerate waterlogging or dense shade.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, it's very resilient. Cut healthy stems for propagation and repot in well-draining substrate.