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.
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.
Where should I plant Broadleaf Stonecrop?
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:
- Sunny rock garden
- Containers
- A green roof!Â
Where is broadleaf stonecrop native?
Native to 3 US states and 1 Canadian province (British Columbia)
Source: USDA PLANTS Database
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:
- Broadleaf Stonecrop ‘Cape Blanco’ is known for its silvery, whitish leaves
- Broadleaf Stonecrop ‘Purpureum’ has silvery, purplish leaves
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.
What is a cultivar?
Cultivar is short for CULTIvated VARieties. Cultivars are plants selected for traits like color, size, or disease resistance. Useful and sometimes stunning...but some lose the scent, shape, or timing wildlife depends on. Plant straight species when possible.
Other great natives that pair well with Broadleaf Stonecrop include:
Sources
- USDA Plants Database, Broadleaf Stonecrop
- Invasive Species Council of British Columbia, Plant Broadleaf Stonecrop instead of these invasives
- Johnson, Lorraine. 100 Easy to Grow Native Plants for Canadian Gardens. (2019), 31.
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 World of Native Plants (Quarto, February 2027). She gardens outside Philadelphia in the 8.3 Southeastern Plains ecoregion.
