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When to plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Brevard County, FL

Brevard County sits in cold Zone 10a. Plant Sedum (Stonecrop) December 22–January 5 for the single annual harvest; the December 20 first frost closes the window.

When to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Brevard County, FL

Brevard County, Florida Zone 10a July

Brevard County, Florida gardeners: here's your July plan

Welcome to July in Zone 10a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost January 19
Avg. first frost December 20
Soil temp (4") 93°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Plan the fall garden

    Make a planting map for August. Tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, lettuce, root crops all go in over the next 8 weeks. Soil amendments and irrigation prep happen now.

  2. Keep heat-survivor crops productive

    Daily harvest of okra and southern peas keeps plants producing. Let pods over-mature and the plant stops setting new fruit.

  3. Watch for hurricane prep season

    August-October is hurricane season. Stake young trees, secure rain barrels, and plan how to protect tender transplants from high winds.

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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.

Brevard County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 19 and the first fall frost is December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 335 days.

At an elevation of 491 feet, Brevard County receives approximately 52.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 104°F, so Sedum (Stonecrop) may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Sedum (Stonecrop) will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sedum (Stonecrop) root diseases.

Perennial Blooms in Fall Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Brevard County, FL (Zone 10a) Year-round
335 days
Last Spring Frost January 19
335 growing days
First Fall Frost December 20

Brevard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (198 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 2 Transplant: Dec 16 🌸 Bloom: Apr 7 – Jun 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (195 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 8 Transplant: Dec 22 🌸 Bloom: Apr 13 – Jun 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 6 Transplant: Jan 20 🌸 Bloom: May 12 – Jul 7

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Brevard County

How your county's soil matches Sedum (Stonecrop)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–5.9) is more acidic than Sedum (Stonecrop) prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Brevard County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Sedum (Stonecrop) will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Sedum (Stonecrop).

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.6%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Sedum (Stonecrop).

How to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop)

1"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Sedum (Stonecrop)

6
successive plantings in your 335-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 21 to harvest before frost.

Sedum (Stonecrop) Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum (Stonecrop) needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Sedum (Stonecrop) Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Feb 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Brevard County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Sedum (Stonecrop) Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Sedum (Stonecrop) needs ~2,100 GDD — county provides 9,408 GDD Excellent fit

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Timeline — Brevard County, FL

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 8 Dec 8 – Dec 22
Transplant Outdoors December 22 Dec 22 – Jan 5
Bloom April 13 Apr 13 – Jun 8

Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Transplant Outdoors
February
March
April Bloom
May Bloom
June Bloom
July
August
September
October
November
December Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

335 days in Brevard County

Growing Tips for Sedum (Stonecrop) in Brevard County

Direct sow Sedum (Stonecrop) outdoors after January 19 in Brevard County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Brevard County dries quickly — mulch Sedum (Stonecrop) with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 104°F in Brevard County, provide afternoon shade for Sedum (Stonecrop) and water deeply in the morning.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Brevard County, FL?

Brevard County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 19. Plan your Sedum (Stonecrop) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Brevard County, FL?

Brevard County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 19 and first fall frost is December 20.

When should I plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Brevard County, FL?

In Brevard County, FL, plant Sedum (Stonecrop) after the last frost (around January 19) and before the first frost (around December 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Brevard County, FL for Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Brevard County sits in USDA Zone 10a. Sedum (Stonecrop) grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Sedum (Stonecrop) grow in Brevard County's climate?

Yes — Sedum (Stonecrop) grows well in Brevard County's temperate climate. Brevard County averages a 336-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 19 and first frost around December 20.

🌱

Your Brevard County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Brevard County (Zone 10a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Brevard County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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