When to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in USDA Zone 10b
Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile, formerly Sedum spectabile) is a supremely tough, drought-tolerant perennial prized for its late-season interest. The flat-topped clusters of starry flowers open pink in late summer and deepen to copper-red as temperatures cool, remaining attractive well into fall and providing seed heads that feed birds through winter. Succulent foliage emerges blue-green in spring, is handsome all season, and turns bronzy after frost. Remarkably adaptable — thrives in poor, gravelly, or sandy soils where other perennials struggle — and virtually maintenance-free once established.
In Zone 10b, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Timeline — Zone 10b
Where Is USDA Zone 10b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 10b. Click any state to see the Sedum (Stonecrop) planting schedule for that location.
Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Calendar — Zone 10b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | November 20 | Nov 20 – Dec 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | November 27 | Nov 27 – Dec 11 |
| Bloom | March 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 30 |
Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Bloom |
| April | Bloom |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors |
| December | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors |
Free Zone 10b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 10b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
35°F to 40°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
365 days (Zone 10b average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 18 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Sedum (Stonecrop) in Zone 10b
Sow every 6.9 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Sedum (Stonecrop) in Zone 10b
Zone 10b offers a long growing season (~365 days). You can plant Sedum (Stonecrop) earlier and may get multiple harvests.
Plant divisions or container plants in spring after frost danger passes, or in early fall. Excellent drainage is the primary requirement — upright border sedums will rot in wet, heavy soils over winter. Lean soil actually improves performance; avoid over-fertilizing which causes floppy stems. Tall cultivars (Autumn Joy, Matrona) may need light staking in rich soil. Divide every 3–4 years in spring when centers become sparse. Deadhead selectively — leaving seed heads through winter extends ornamental interest and feeds goldfinches. Very low water requirement once established. Year 2+ plants reach full clump size and peak bloom display.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
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Saving Sedum (Stonecrop) Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Sedum (Stonecrop) in Other Zones
Sedum (Stonecrop) by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Zone 10b?
In Zone 10b, plan your Sedum (Stonecrop) planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around November 20. Transplant seedlings around November 27.
Can Sedum (Stonecrop) grow in Zone 10b?
Yes, Sedum (Stonecrop) can grow well in Zone 10b, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Zone 10b has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Sedum (Stonecrop) (60-90 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Sedum (Stonecrop) in Zone 10b?
In Zone 10b, expect to harvest Sedum (Stonecrop) from March 19 – April 30. Sedum (Stonecrop) takes 60-90 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 10b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 10b is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Sedum (Stonecrop)?
Good companion plants for Sedum (Stonecrop) include Black Eyed Susan, Echinacea, Ornamental Grasses, Rudbeckia. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 10b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 10b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.