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Broadleaf stonecrop, starry yellow flowers above blue-green rosettes on a rock

Plant profile

Broadleaf Stonecrop

Sedum spathulifolium

A Pacific Northwest groundcover that plays well with others.

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Native near you?

Highlights

Broadleaf stonecrop is an evergreen, short native plant that is perfect for rock gardens, groundcover, or borders in the Northwest. It’s a succulent, each leaf puffed up with water to make tiny three-dimensional shapes. In the spring, short canopies of bright yellow flowers bloom—a pollinator favorite. Broadleaf stonecrop likes wide range of areas—moist to dry—and is drought tolerant. Since its a perennial, plant once and watch it grow (and spread!) for years. Scroll on for planting tips.

Honeybee on broadleaf stonecrop’s yellow star-shaped flowers
Broadleaf stonecrop’s yellow spring blooms are pollinator favorites

Embarking on the journey of native gardening? Broadleaf stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium) is a great choice. This resilient plant is a dream for beginners, offering both beauty and simplicity in your garden.

Broadleaf stonecrop, a mat of fleshy pale green rosettes
Even when not in bloom, the sculptural leaves of broadleaf stonecrop are beautiful and evergreen

Versatility is broadleaf stonecrop’s middle name. Its ability to thrive in various environments makes it a fantastic choice for beginners experimenting with garden designs.

Planting card

Broadleaf Stonecrop

Sedum spathulifolium

Where broadleaf stonecrop shines in your yard

Versatility is broadleaf stonecrop’s middle name. Its ability to thrive in various environments makes it a fantastic choice for beginners experimenting with garden designs. The only thing that Broadleaf Stonecrop MUST have is good drainage—it does not like to be in standing water. Some ideas for planting include:

Where is broadleaf stonecrop native?

Native to 3 US states and 1 Canadian province (British Columbia)

Native range
Not native

Sources: NatureServe, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (World Checklist of Vascular Plants) and the USDA PLANTS Database, compiled by The Plant Native. How we map native ranges

Where can I buy broadleaf stonecrop?

Most big-box garden centers don’t carry true natives, but broadleaf stonecrop is easier to find than you might think. Your best bets are a native plant nursery near you, a native plant society sale, or a trusted online grower that ships to your region.

Cultivars you may encounter

Broadleaf stonecrop has a few cultivar options you may encounter at local plant nurseries. (Cultivars are plants that have been changed and curated by humans—here’s a quick cultivar overview.) Some popular cultivars include:

The Plant Native believes in planting true natives—not cultivars—whenever possible. While cultivars offer different colors and shapes for our gardens, they may confuse pollinators and do not offer the ecological benefits that native plants do.

Other great natives that pair well with broadleaf stonecrop include:

As you venture into native gardening, broadleaf stonecrop is a beginner-friendly choice. Embrace the simplicity of its care, enjoy the seasonal dance of colors, and explore the many places it can call home in your garden. This native succulent is a great first step towards a vibrant, thriving fuss-free landscape—especially compared to lawns. Happy planting!

Sources
Emily Lessard standing among white coneflowers in a garden

Written by

Emily Lessard

Founder & Editor, The Plant Native

Emily Lessard is the founder and editor of The Plant Native, the site that helps homeowners across North America get started with native plants. She holds a Sustainable Landscapes certificate through the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association, is finishing a Native Perennial Garden Design Certificate at Temple University, and is the author of Plant Native: A Practical Guide to Over 100 Native Plants of North America (Quarto, March 2027). She gardens outside Philadelphia in the 8.3 Southeastern Plains ecoregion.

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Garden notes

Notes from people who’ve grown it

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