How To Plant Creeping Red Sedum

Plant creeping red sedum (Sedum spurium) and it will soon grow into a dense mat of succulent red foliage. In late summer, the foliage will be covered with star-shaped red blooms on stems that extend 2 inches above the 4-inch plants. Creeping red sedum does well in poor soil, making it a great ground cover for rock gardens and other difficult areas.

Step 1

Purchase creeping sedum bedding plants at a greenhouse or nursery. Creeping sedum can also easily be started from stem cuttings. Simply cut a 3- to 4-inch tip, and plant it in damp potting mixture. Put the cutting in a cool place and indirect sunlight, and keep the soil slightly moist. The cuttings should root and be ready to plant outdoors in about three weeks.

Step 2

Select a planting site in full or partial sunlight. Although creeping red sedum will grow in any soil type, it must be well-drained, because like all succulents, creeping red sedum is prone to rot if its roots are too wet.

Step 3

Prepare the soil ahead of time. Use a shovel or garden fork to cultivate the top 8 to 10 inches of the soil. Mix in a large shovelful of compost.

Step 4

Dig a hole for each creeping red sedum, using a trowel. The hole should be the same height as the sedum's root ball, and twice as wide. Plant the creeping red sedum 4 to 6 inches apart

Step 5

Place the creeping red sedum in the hole, and fill in the hole with reserved soil. Tamp the soil around the plant with your hands.

Step 6

Water the creeping red sedum well immediately after planting. After that time, keep the soil slightly moist. Apply 1 inch of organic mulch such as shredded bark or chopped leaves to help control weeds and retain moisture.