Sedum Adolphii
Sedum adolphii
📖 About this plant
Sedum adolphii, commonly called Golden Sedum or Coppertone Sedum, is a vibrant trailing succulent prized for its spectacular color-changing foliage. The plump, pointed leaves are bright lime-green in shade, develop golden-yellow tones in moderate light, and transform to stunning peach-orange to coppery-red in full sun or cool autumn temperatures. This color-changing ability makes it one of the most dynamic succulents, offering a different look with each season. It grows quickly, trailing beautifully from containers and hanging baskets, and is one of the easiest succulents to propagate — even a single fallen leaf can root and grow into a new plant. It’s an excellent ground cover and trailing accent plant.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Bright Indirect Light to Full Sun
When soil is completely dry (every 2-3 weeks)
30-50%
10-35°C (50-95°F)
Well-draining succulent/cactus mix with perlite
Diluted succulent fertilizer 2-3 times during growing season
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Mexico
- 📏 Max height
- 20-30 cm (8-12 in) tall trailing/clumping
- 📐 Spread
- 30-60 cm (12-24 in) trailing spread
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring to summer
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White star-shaped flowers in clusters
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Lime-green to golden-yellow pointed leaves that turn peach-orange to coppery-red in full sun or cool weather
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial (5-10+ years)
- 📈 Growth rate
- Fast
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Toxic to cats and dogs — may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested
- 🌱 Propagation
- Stem cuttings or leaf cuttings; allow callus 1-2 days before planting — roots very readily
🛡️ Health & Safety
Toxic to cats and dogs — may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested
Common issues
- Greening out in shade (losing golden color)
- etiolation in low light
- root rot from overwatering
- mealybugs on stems
- stems becoming bare and leggy at the base
💡 Care tips
- This is one of the fastest and easiest succulents to grow — perfect for beginners.
- The color transformation to copper-red in cool weather is one of its best features.
- Pinch stems regularly to encourage bushier, more compact growth.
- Bare stems can be cut back and the cuttings replanted for a fresh start.
- Excellent for combining with dark-leaved succulents for contrast.
- Grows well outdoors in mild climates as ground cover.
