Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Yellow Stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium) is a native perennial herb in the Crassulaceae (Stonecrop) family that is found in rocky or mountainous areas over a large part of the state, but more commonly in northern California. It is also found northward to British Columbia. It tends to grow in a hanging or sprawling manner on the face of cliffs or steep rocky outcrops, often in shade, at elevations from 0-7500 feet. The leaves are somewhat thick and succulent. In spring the plant puts up an erect flower stalk with diminutive yellow flowers. This succulent works well in rock gardens in northern California. Plant at an angle so that water does not collect on the crown. In its native setting this plant receives abundant moisture in winter/spring, then remains relatively dry through summer. It is evergreen but may shrivel somewhat in summer.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Succulent

Size

1 - 8 in Tall
1 - 3 ft Wide

Form

Spreading

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Evergreen

Fragrance

None

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Spring, Summer

Special uses

Containers, Deer resistant, Lawn alternative

Sun

Deep Shade, Partial Shade

Water

Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 5° F

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Rocky or gravelly.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 8.0

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

Site type

Cliffs, rocky outcrops

Plant communities

Chaparral, Douglas-Fir Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Northern Coastal Scrub, Red Fir Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

Bats
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

2 confirmed and 9 likely

Confirmed Likely

Moss' Elfin

Callophrys mossii

San Bruno Elfin

Callophrys mossii bayensis

Orange Tortrix Moth

Argyrotaenia franciscana