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Plant care

Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' (Dragon's Blood Sedum) care

Phedimus spurius

Also called Dragon's Blood Sedum, Two-Row Stonecrop, Caucasian Stonecrop.

RHS H7USDA 3-9Pet-safeIndoor 5-15 cm tall

Watering rhythm

10-14days

When the top 3-5 cm of soil is completely dry, roughly every 10-14 days; minimal once established

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Sharply draining, gritty or sandy soil; poor to average fertility

Humidity

30-50%

Temp

-35-30°C

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Mature size

5-15 cm tall

Care at a glance

Light

Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Full sun is essential for the richest red foliage colouring and most prolific flowering. In partial shade, leaves turn greener and the mat thins out. Suits exposed, sunny, dry sites including south-facing slopes and gravel gardens. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water stonecrop 'dragon's blood' when the top 3-5 cm of soil is completely dry, roughly every 10-14 days; minimal once established. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Highly drought-tolerant once rooted in. Overwatering is the main risk — it causes rot and loss of the red leaf colouring. Natural rainfall in temperate climates is usually sufficient. Water deeply but infrequently during extended dry spells.

Soil and pot

Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' grows best in sharply draining, gritty or sandy soil; poor to average fertility. Rich or fertile soils produce rank green growth and reduce the ornamental red colouring. Lean, well-drained, gritty soils produce compact, intensely coloured mats. A pH of 6.0–7.5 is suitable. Add coarse grit to clay soils before planting. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' sits happiest at around 30-50% humidity and -35-30°C (-31-86°F). Adapted to dry, low-humidity conditions. Excessive humidity, especially combined with poor drainage, promotes fungal rot. Good air circulation at mat level is beneficial. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed stonecrop 'dragon's blood' sparingly. Minimal feeding required. A very light balanced feed in spring is acceptable on genuinely poor soils, but excess nutrients diminish the distinctive red foliage colour and encourage weak, sprawling growth. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on stonecrop 'dragon's blood' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Root and crown rot — Caused by waterlogged or heavy, poorly drained soil; always plant in gritty, free-draining conditions.
  • Loss of red colouring — Shade, overfeeding, or mild growing conditions cause leaves to revert to green; maximise sun exposure and use lean soil.
  • Invasion of other plants — Vigorous spreading habit can colonise neighbouring plants; trim mat edges annually to control spread.
  • Aphids — Spring growth may attract aphids; blast off with water or apply insecticidal soap if severe.
  • Winter wet rot — Prolonged saturated soil in winter kills sections of the mat; ensure drainage and avoid low-lying frost pockets.

Companion plants

Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' pairs well with Sempervivum tectorum, Thymus serpyllum, Phlox subulata, and Helianthemum. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.

Propagation

Divide mats in spring or autumn, replanting rooted stem sections in gritty, well-drained compost. Stem cuttings taken in summer root extremely readily; allow the base to callous for 24 hours before inserting into free-draining gritty mix. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' is pet-safe. Phedimus spurius (formerly Sedum spurium) is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the Sedum genus is listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. 'Dragon's Blood' is broadly regarded as pet-safe. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Phedimus spurius?

Phedimus spurius is most commonly called Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood', but it is also known as Dragon's Blood Sedum, Two-Row Stonecrop, Caucasian Stonecrop. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' apply identically to anything sold as Dragon's Blood Sedum.

How much light does stonecrop 'dragon's blood' need?

Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Full sun is essential for the richest red foliage colouring and most prolific flowering. In partial shade, leaves turn greener and the mat thins out. Suits exposed, sunny, dry sites including south-facing slopes and gravel gardens.

How often should I water stonecrop 'dragon's blood'?

Water stonecrop 'dragon's blood' when the top 3-5 cm of soil is completely dry, roughly every 10-14 days; minimal once established. Highly drought-tolerant once rooted in. Overwatering is the main risk — it causes rot and loss of the red leaf colouring. Natural rainfall in temperate climates is usually sufficient. Water deeply but infrequently during extended dry spells. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is stonecrop 'dragon's blood' toxic to cats and dogs?

Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' is pet-safe. Phedimus spurius (formerly Sedum spurium) is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the Sedum genus is listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. 'Dragon's Blood' is broadly regarded as pet-safe.

What USDA hardiness zone does stonecrop 'dragon's blood' grow in?

Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' is rated for USDA zone 3-9 and RHS hardiness H7. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of stonecrop 'dragon's blood' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

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Related guides

Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' is also known as Dragon's Blood Sedum, Two-Row Stonecrop, and Caucasian Stonecrop.