Does anyone grow sedum in the ground in Central Florida? Just wondering if the humidity and summer rains affect their growth. I have a couple of sedum, but in pots. They seem to do OK, but I'd like to put some of them in the ground to cover a bare spot that gets part/mostly sun and little water. In the summer, there would be plenty of rainy days, but our soil is sand, so it's very well-draining. Winter would be dry.

I just received several new (to me) SunSparkler sedum, and I would hate to lose them by putting them in the wrong place. Here's what I have:
Blue Elf
Firecracker
Lime Twister
Lime Zinger
Cherry Tart
Coral Reef (don't think this one is a Sunsparkler)

@SunSparkler
Chris what can you tell us about growing these awesome plants in Orlando, FL?

Coral Reef is not a SunSparkler sedum, but is a beauty.
My growing conditions are so different from yours. Maybe Chris Hansen can give us information on what you should do.

I have mine in a couple of different growing conditions (Pacific Northwest).
Sandy loam in full sun
Miracle Grow Potting Mix in half day sun
Sandy loam in half day sun (this seems to keep them happier, as the sandy loam dries out quickly in our summer drought season).
The sandy loam has some compost (from local supplier) mixed in. This seems to keep them much happier.
All are top dressed with either chicken grit our compost, depending on where they are planted.
Full sun, sandy loam topped with chicken grit. This is the only spot I am growing this one in, and it seems to do very well.


Potting mix, half day sun (morning)

Sandy loam, full sun.

Thanks, Lynn - what does the chicken grit do for them?

It provides a mulch that helps to retain moisture in drought conditions. I'm not sure how these methods will work for you though.
I would think that your sandy soil will drain to quickly.
Maybe you could try containers until you find what keeps them healthy?
Divide the plants into halves or thirds, planting them in different ways? See which ones do best?

Yeah, that's probably the safest thing to do. I can put most of them into pots and just try a few pieces in the yard.

I know in Michigan Chris grows them in full sun, but not sure how that would work in the FL sun.
Keep me posted on how they do for you, and what worked best.
Would love to see photos of the plants.

Ibis I'm pretty sure all of the coral reef type sedum (forgot what they call them now) will do great in almost any part sun conditions. These plants have been so easy for me (I think it is one that also has John Creecher, and Dragon's blood and a few other types) a great plant!

Coral Reef goes like gangbusters in my 8a sun. It's on a par with creeping Jenny. I walk on it, divide it, excessively water it, let it go dry, it's a maneater! It's in the ground. Lemon Ball is also a good spreader for me. I can't keep a Blue spruce alive for the life of me. Just bought Lime Zinger and John Creech, so the jury is out.

Kabby I bet the John Creech is going to do great as well, the species name I was trying to come up with in my earlier post was sedum spurium, of which coral reef and John Creech are a part of.

Actually 'Coral Reef' is not a spurium but Sedum tetractinum.
I seem to have trouble growing this one. All of the S. spurius are tough little plants for me.
Kabby it will be interesting to see how the 'Lime Zinger' does for you. Very tough for me in the Pacific Northwest zone 8.

Ibis, I think dividing and trying some in the garden and some in pots is your best idea. That way you will not lose the entire plant if it does not like the full sun.

I thought I was the only one that could not grow coral Reef. Blue Spruce only survive for me in pots. I am not sure but I think my problem might be the deer are eating them. I have replaced a lot of them and growing them in pots on the patio until they get bigger and going to try in the gardens again and see if they survive then I will be sure if it is the weather or the deer killing them.

Blue Spruce grows very well for me. I finally learned how to keep 'Ogon' alive and growing.

Lynn I have Ogon in a shade bed hiding under a strawberry begonia. It looks to be spreading some this spring. The mild winter I'm sure helped it to survive. What are your secrets for Ogon success?

Probably the same as yours Kabby.
Bright shade and soil that tends to hold moisture without being boggy. It took me 3 times to figure this out. I was so used to all the drought tolerant sedum.

It is strange how some of the sedum like moisture. It is the same with some of my tender sucs.

I put one of the Coral Reefs in the ground and so far, it seems to be doing well and growing. The area is very sandy, usually dry, and is in full sun. The summer heat and rains haven't started yet though, so I'll have to see how it does over the new several months. All the others are in pots for now.

This is a picture from this morning, we had a little bit of rain overnight.

It is looking good. How long have you had it?

About 3 weeks, so not long enough to tell how it's going to do. Summer will be the big test.

Ibis it looks good. If you want to be safe you could cut a couple of those long stems and stick them in a pot and you will have a back up. I know I am probably over cautious because I have killed that one so many times.

Good idea Cinta.

Ibis, keep us updated.