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When to plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Johnson County, IN

Plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Johnson County during the brief April 19–May 3 window. With 193 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before October 22.

When to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Johnson County, IN

Johnson County, Indiana Zone 6a June

June in Johnson County, Indiana — your action list

Your Johnson County, Indiana garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Get sedum (stonecrop) seeds going inside

    You're about 17 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

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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.

Johnson County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 1,324 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 36.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Sedum (Stonecrop) during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Fall Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Johnson County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Apr 14 🌸 Bloom: Aug 4 – Oct 20
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 19 🌸 Bloom: Aug 9 – Oct 25
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 6 🌸 Bloom: Aug 26 – Nov 11

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 Johnson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.0) is within Sedum (Stonecrop)'s preferred range (6.0–7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Johnson County is excellent for Sedum (Stonecrop) — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) — Sedum (Stonecrop) will thrive.

How to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop)

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

Succession Planting Sedum (Stonecrop)

3
successive plantings in your 193-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

Sedum (Stonecrop) Water Budget

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

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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Johnson 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 ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Timeline — Johnson County, IN

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 – Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 – May 3
Bloom August 9 Aug 9 – Oct 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

193 days in Johnson County

Growing Tips for Sedum (Stonecrop) in Johnson County

Direct sow Sedum (Stonecrop) outdoors after April 12 in Johnson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Johnson County, IN?

Johnson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Sedum (Stonecrop) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, IN?

Johnson County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 22.

When should I plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Johnson County, IN?

In Johnson County, IN, plant Sedum (Stonecrop) after the last frost (around April 12) and before the first frost (around October 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Johnson County, IN for Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Johnson County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Sedum (Stonecrop) grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

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

Yes — Sedum (Stonecrop) grows well in Johnson County's temperate climate. Johnson County averages a 193-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 12 and first frost around October 22.

🌱

Your Johnson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Johnson County (Zone 6a). 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 Johnson County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.