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Succulents are my all-time favorite variety of plants, and sedum plants top that list. The larger sedum varieties, such as Autumn Joy, produce huge flower heads. By the end of the season you may find sedums falling over from the weight. Other causes of bowed sedum heads may be rich soil or overwatering.
The Sedum family encompasses plants that trail, spread like ground cover, tower 2 or more feet (0. 6+ m. ), and those that just barely graze your ankles. For home gardeners, the group’s variety makes it possible to use these hardy succulents in their landscaping. The thick leaves are covered with a waxy substance that helps the plants keep water in, so they can grow in dry conditions. Sedum plants come back in spring and begin as ground hugging rosettes. Soon stems form and then starry clusters of flowers. In the larger sedums, these mass into a globe of purple, pink, salmon or white color.
Some sedum plants can get a bloom cluster the size of a mans fist or even larger. Most of the time, the heavy sedum on top of the thick stock can hold up the huge flower. But sometimes the flower falls to the ground or the stalk breaks. Weak stems are the result of overly rich soil. Sedum plants are tolerant of poor growing conditions and even thrive in sandy or gritty medium. Rich and soggy soils will cause the stems to bend and you will see your sedums falling over. To prevent this, you should mix in some sand to the site soil prior to planting the succulents. Sedums planted in low light areas may also grow spindly stems as the plant stretches for the sun. Ensure that these succulents get full sun exposure.
Sedum plants are popular succulents that are loved for their attractive foliage and beautiful blooms. However, many gardeners struggle with sedums that flop over and look unkempt later in the season. The good news is that with proper care and pruning, it’s easy to keep sedum plants looking great all season long. In this article, we’ll share tips on how to prevent sedum from flopping over.
Why Sedums Flop Over
There are a few key reasons why sedum plants tend to flop over and lose their shape:
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Fast, lush growth due to rich soil or overwatering Sedums prefer lean, well-draining soil Wet soil causes weak, floppy growth.
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Insufficient sunlight. Sedums need at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Too much shade leads to weak stretching stems.
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Large heavy flower heads late in the season. Some sedum varieties produce very large blooms that get too heavy for the stems to support.
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Age. Older sedum plants tend to get woody and produce weaker stems.
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Variety. Some sedum varieties are simply more prone to flopping than others. ‘Autumn Joy’ is infamous for getting floppy.
How to Prevent Floppy Sedum Growth
Luckily, with the right growing conditions and pruning practices, it’s easy to produce sturdy, upright sedum plants that will retain their shape all season. Here are some tips:
Provide the Right Soil
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Sedums want fast-draining, lean soil. Before planting, amend heavy garden soil with sand or grit to improve drainage.
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Avoid over-fertilizing, which leads to weak growth. Use a balanced organic fertilizer at planting time and sparingly after.
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Let the soil dry out between waterings. Overwatering encourages weak stems.
Give them Sun
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Sedums need a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning sun is ideal.
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If planted in too much shade, sedums get leggy as they reach for light. Move plants to a sunnier spot.
Prune for Shape
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In early summer, prune back the stems by 1/3 to 1/2 their height. This encourages bushier, sturdier growth.
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Pinch off the growing tips of stems in spring and early summer. Pinching back redirects growth lower on the plant.
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Cut back any floppy stems in midsummer to improve appearance.
Stake If Needed
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Insert stakes around sedum plants and loosely tie floppy stems to provide support.
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Use small cages or rings to corral spreading sedums and keep them upright.
Divide Overgrown Plants
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Dig up and divide sedum clumps every 3-4 years in spring as new growth emerges. Replant divisions.
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Take stem cuttings to start new, vigorous sedum plants. Old plants tend to get woody and weak.
Choose Non-Floppy Varieties
Some sedum varieties are much less prone to flopping:
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‘Angelina’ – Low-growing with yellow foliage, stays compact.
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‘Blue Spruce’ – Blue-green needle-like leaves, mounding form.
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‘Vera Jameson’ – Purple foliage, large blooms but sturdy stems.
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‘Red Cauli’ – Cauliflower-like blooms but strong upright shape.
When to Prune Sedums
Proper timing is key when pinching or cutting back sedums to control flopping. Here are the optimal time frames:
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Early spring: Prune back stems by 1/3 to 1/2 their height before new growth emerges.
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Early summer: Pinch off growing tips of stems and developing flower buds. Do this when plants are 4-10 inches tall.
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Midsummer: Cut back any floppy stems but avoid pruning plants in full bloom.
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Fall: Cut sedum stems back to 1-2″ above ground after flowering finishes.
Step-by-Step Guide to Pruning Sedums
Here is a simple step-by-step guide to pinching and pruning sedums for shape:
Pinching Tips
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Wait until the sedum stems are about 4-6 inches tall in spring/early summer.
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Use your fingers or pruners/scissors to pinch off the tip of each stem just above a set of leaves.
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Remove the growing tip and developing flower bud cluster.
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Repeat for all stems to encourage bushy, compact growth.
Cutting Stems Back
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In early summer, use pruners or scissors to cut each stem back by 1/3 to 1/2 its height.
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Make the pruning cut just above a leaf node. New shoots will emerge here.
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Remove the cut stems or use them for propagating new plants.
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Repeat pruning all stems. Remove dead stems as needed.
Caring for Sedums
To keep your sedums looking their best all season long, provide proper growing conditions:
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Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours direct sun per day)
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Well-draining soil enriched with compost at planting
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Allow soil to dry out between waterings to prevent rot
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Fertilize in early spring and midsummer with balanced organic fertilizer
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Prune for shape and to rejuvenate old plants
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Divide congested clumps every 3-4 years in early spring
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Watch for common pests like aphids and scale; treat organically
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Add gravel mulch to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and prevent rot
Keep Your Sedums Standing Tall!
While sedums are famous for getting floppy and unkempt later in the season, you can easily keep them looking great by providing optimal growing conditions and using simple pruning techniques. Just be sure to plant them in full sun, prevent overwatering, and pinch off tips and cut back stems at the right times. With proper care, your sedum plants will retain an attractive, mounded shape all season long.
What to Do if Sedums are Too Heavy
Those big beautiful heads may get nodding due to a variety of conditions. You can move the plant in fall to a more suitable location or amend the soil. The short term solution is to stake the plant so the stem has support. Sedum flowers add interesting shapes to a winter garden, and the flowers can stay on the plant until spring. They dry out in fall and have a textural appeal. Older plants respond well to division. Dig up the entire plant in the dormant season and cut the root and plant in half. Alternately, look for offsets or baby plants and pull them away from the parent plant. Once planted and established, these babies will produce quickly and better than the aged parent.
When sedum plants are pruned, they tend to grow bushier during their next spring growth spurt. Use sharp pruners or garden shears to take the stems back to within an inch (2. 5 cm) of the soil in early spring. Take care to avoid the new growth that is coming up. Pinching will enforce bushier plants. Pinch off the new growth close to the ground, and it will grow into a stem that is tighter and thicker. Pruning sedum succulents that are growing in low light conditions may help them form a sturdier stem. Cut the stem back to 6 inches (15. 2 cm. ). You won’t get any flowers right away, but the stalk will get thicker, which will help the flowers stand up when they do. Finally, if your sedums are too heavy on top, bring the flower inside to enjoy as a cut flower. They are a joy both indoors and out.
Gardening Tip Tuesday: Trimming Autumn Joy Sedum
FAQ
How do you keep sedum upright?
How do you fix floppy sedum?
How do I keep my sedum from falling over?
Should I stake my sedum?
Do sedums flop?
Sedums, including the ever popular Autumn Joy, prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They tend to flop when grown in the shade and overly moist soil. Move your plant to a sunny location with good drainage if needed. Add organic matter to heavy clay soil to improve drainage and increase your growing success.
Why is my Sedum floppy?
Lack of sunlight and too much fertility in the soil are also common causes of floppiness and caving in at the center of the plant. Sedum is a warm-weather succulent plant that thrives in full sunlight and average or poor soil. Some sedum varieties are tough enough to thrive in dry, gravelly soil.
How do you keep Sedum healthy?
To keep sedum healthy, get in the habit of routinely dividing the plant every other year. Water sedum sparingly; wet soil may cause sedum to rot and die. In most parts of the country, sedum thrives with no supplemental irrigation but benefits from an occasional light watering during long periods of hot, dry weather.
How to replant Sedum clumps?
Now that you have chosen the perfect spot for sedum clumps to grow, it is time to replant it. Dig a hole where the clump will perfectly fit. Get those excavated soil and tamp it around the roots. If there are clods, break them so that they can be distributed evenly around the plant. Of course, in many cases do not have to or want to replant sedums.
Do Sedum flowers dry out?
Sedum flowers make interesting architectural additions to the winter garden and can be left on the plant until spring. They dry out in fall and have a textural appeal. Older plants respond well to division. Dig up the entire plant in the dormant season and cut the root and plant in half.
Why are my sedums falling over?
Rich and soggy soils will cause the stems to bend and you will see your sedums falling over. To prevent this, you should mix in some sand to the site soil prior to planting the succulents. Sedums planted in low light areas may also grow spindly stems as the plant stretches for the sun.