Needle Stonecrop, a low-growing succulent groundcover, is a mat-forming perennial known for its hardiness. It thrives in poor conditions and requires minimal care. Its dense foliage and resilience make it a popular selection for rock gardens and container plantings, where it can spill gracefully over edges. It provides reliable, semi-evergreen texture and year-round interest.
Identifying Needle Stonecrop
The plant recognized scientifically as Sedum lineare is named for its distinct foliage. Its leaves are narrow, linear to narrowly lance-shaped, measuring up to 1.2 inches long, forming a dense, needle-like mat. The leaves are typically bright green or pale greenish-yellow, arranged in whorls of three or four along the slender, branching stems.
The trailing stems can grow up to a foot in length, creating a low, spreading carpet 4 to 6 inches tall. From late spring into early summer, this stonecrop produces small, bright yellow, star-shaped flowers. These flowers bloom in clusters called cymes just above the dense foliage.
Essential Growing Conditions
Growing Needle Stonecrop requires managing light and soil to prevent the most common issue: overwatering. The plant performs best in full sun for at least six hours daily, though it tolerates partial shade, which may lead to leggier growth. When grown indoors, a sunny window with a southern or western exposure is best for maintaining its compact form.
Excellent drainage is the most important factor for success, as this stonecrop requires it to prevent root rot. A sandy or gritty mix is recommended, such as a commercially available succulent or cactus blend, or a homemade mix incorporating perlite or small gravel. Once established, the plant is drought-tolerant. Watering should be thorough but infrequent, allowing the soil to dry out completely between applications.
Needle Stonecrop is cold-hardy, surviving winter temperatures in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7a through 11b (down to 0°F or -17.8°C). In areas experiencing colder winters, the plant should be provided protection or overwintered indoors if grown in a container. Its resilience contributes to its reputation as a low-maintenance option.
Practical Uses and Management
Due to its dense, mat-forming habit, Needle Stonecrop is frequently used as an effective ground cover, especially in challenging, dry areas. It is also an excellent choice for rock gardens, sprawling over stones, and in containers or hanging baskets where its stems can cascade over the edges. The plant’s shallow root system has made it a candidate for use on green roofs.
Propagation is simple, with stem cuttings being the easiest method for quickly creating new plants. A healthy stem segment can be removed, allowed to dry for a day or two to form a callous, and then planted directly into well-draining soil, where it will readily root. Division of established clumps in the spring is another method for increasing stock.
The plant encounters few serious pest issues, though slugs, snails, or scale insects may occasionally be observed. The primary management concern is preventing rot, which is directly linked to excessive moisture and poorly draining soil. Sedum lineare is considered non-toxic to both humans and animals, though ingestion of any plant material may cause a mild stomach upset.