Sedum rubrotinctum

Sedum rubrotinctum is a particularly beautiful Sedum – color changing, sprawling with bubble shaped leaves, beautiful in hanging pots or sunny balconies.

This variety is the result of a hybridization between Sedum pachyphyllum and Sedum stahlii.

As this variety is from Mexico, it is not very hardy in our region – tolerating frosts only down to -5°C (23°F).

 

🌸 Floral Morphology

Sedum rubrotinctum is a succulent in the Crassulaceae family, forming dense, low-growing mats of fleshy, cylindrical leaves that are bright green and often tipped with red under sun exposure.

The plant produces small, star-shaped, yellow flowers arranged in loose clusters (cymes) that typically bloom in late winter to spring.

Flowers are actinomorphic and hermaphroditic, with five sepals and five petals, and a superior ovary. The compact, fleshy leaves serve as water storage organs, enabling the plant to withstand drought conditions.

🧬 Reproductive Biology

Pollination is primarily entomophilous, attracting bees and other small insects. Sedum rubrotinctum propagates easily through leaf cuttings or stem offsets, allowing rapid vegetative reproduction.

Seeds are produced in small capsules but vegetative propagation is far more common in cultivation.

The plant exhibits Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), opening stomata at night to conserve water while allowing photosynthesis during the day.

🦋 Ecology & Cultivation

Sedum rubrotinctum thrives in well-drained, sandy or rocky soils under full sun, although it tolerates light shade.

It is drought-tolerant, frost-sensitive, and well-suited for rock gardens, containers, or as ground cover.

The plant is low-maintenance, requires minimal watering, and benefits from occasional pruning to remove damaged or overgrown stems.

Its vibrant leaf colors and compact growth habit make it popular for ornamental gardening and succulent collections.

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Other names:

Jelly-beans

Pork and beans

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Origin:

Mexico