Sedum Sieboldii Guide: How to Grow & Care for “October Daphne”

Sedum sieboldii (syn. Hylotelephium sieboldii) is a superb species of flowering plants in the Crassulaceae family. This plant is a succulent that goes by many names including October Daphne, Siebold’s Stonecrop, October Stonecrop, Ice Plant, and Siebold’s Sedum. It can be found growing mostly in rock walls and is native to several regions of China and Japan.

Coming with a high variety in foliage and low-maintenance feature, October Daphne plants have become quite popular worldwide. All gardeners are creative and prefer these plants in lovely containers, hanging baskets, beds, and borders. Moreover, they are a great candidate for outdoor decorations, such as landscaping, xeriscaping, forest settings, garden edging, and commercial or city planters.

About Sedum Sieboldii

• These plants belonged to the Sedum genus that contains up to 600 species of flowering succulents. Today, S. sieboldii is considered a member of the Hylotelephium genus.
• A cultivar with variegated cream and green leaves, known as ‘Misebaya-nakafu’, has gained the prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
• October Daphne can make for an excellent companion to Aeonium ‘Sunburst’ and other species of succulents with similar environmental requirements.
• They are hardy plants that thrive in bright sunlight and slightly cooler temperatures. In warmer regions, they require protection from hot temperatures and harsh sun.
• In their natural habitat, these plants are mostly groundcovers and grow properly on rocky soils. A well-draining soil is ideal for these plants to grow at their best.
• October Daphne has no extra demands when it comes to fertilizers. While caring for this plant, inspect it for any pest-presence.
• In general, young plants are not poisonous to animals and humans. However, they contain a sap that can be mildly toxic if ingested.

Sedum Sieboldii Features: An Overview

• October Daphne is a perennial succulent that can be easily distinguished by its blue to gray leaves that grow on creeping stems. It is also a deciduous species, shedding its leaves, flower petals, and ripe fruits every year.
• Sedum sieboldii plants have a dormant period and die back to the rootstock during the winter months. Their features are shown best in areas where the fall season is long and mild.
• They are low-growing plants that can reach dimensions of 4 inches (10 cm) in height and 8 inches (20 cm) in width. Their overall growth resembles the appearance of dwarf shrubs.
• Their creeping stems are delicate, unbranched, and bent down in a fountain-like manner. They are slightly succulent and usually grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) in length.
• October Daphne plants produce leaves that are obovate to fan-shaped, greenish-blue in color, with edges in small waves. Sometimes, they can present red, pink, or purple margins.
• Their leaves grow somehow arranged in whorls and measure between 0.5 and 1 inches (1.3-2.5 cm) in length and 0.5 to 0.8 inches (1.3-2 cm) in diameter.
• During their blooming season, from September to October, these plants produce mesmerizing inflorescences that contain many flowers. While in bloom, their foliage turns into beautiful dark red to purplish shades.
• Their flowers are short-stalked, tiny, star-shaped, and grow in dense clusters united at the base. They are exhibited in various hues of pink, like carmine-rose and scarlet.

Growing Sedum Sieboldii

Sedum sieboldii plants are, without a doubt, a beautiful dream coming true for every gardener! Not only are they looking spectacular, but they are also very easy to grow and care for. As long as you provide these plants with proper care, they will cause no trouble along the way. Stay with us and you will see for yourself!

When it comes to lighting conditions, October Daphne plants do well when they are exposed to full sun to partial or full shade. To grow at their best and bloom sporadically, they must be kept in a sunny location all-day. However, if you live in a region with warmer climates, your plants will need some protection from any harsh sunlight or extreme heat.

Sedum sieboldii plants are suited for greenhouse growing among other frost-tolerant plants. They are pretty hardy in winters and can withstand cooler temperatures that drop to -20 °F (-29 °C) or even lower. In their dormant period, you should keep your plants away from any extreme temperatures.

For optimal growth, plant your Sedum Sieboldii in a soil that has excellent drainage. This plant will have a great time growing in a commercial potting mix designed for cacti and succulents. Keep in mind that your plant does not enjoy loamy soils rich in organic matter or nutrients. If you want to prepare your soil mixture, you can do it by combining pea gravel with gritty dirt.

October Daphne is an independent plant that can grow by itself without any extra fertilizer. Still, you can boost its growth by feeding it with a balanced fertilizer once every year in spring. It is quite sensitive to over-fertilizing, so make sure you follow the package instruction to avoid burning out your plant.

When you grow October Daphne plants outdoors in a garden, your worries are slightly diminished than with pot-grown plants. If you grow these plants in a container, you will have to repot them regularly but not too often. Once your plants start to outgrow their pots, it is the perfect time to find your courage and get to work. And an important detail to remember! The pots in which you must transplant your plants should be one size larger than the current ones.

In terms of pests, Sedum sieboldii plants can be infested sometimes by snails and slugs. But you can always be one step ahead! If you notice any suspect presence on your plants, you can pick off the pests or use a bait designed for snails and slugs. These plants can also be bothered by pests like scale insects, mealybugs, or aphids. Take action immediately and treat the unhealthy parts of your plants with rubbing alcohol, neem oil, or suitable insecticides/pesticides.

Sedum Sieboldii Plant, From Amazon

Watering Sedum Sieboldii

Sedum sieboldii plants are quite easy-going when it comes to watering. Thanks to their succulent stems and leaves, they can store large amounts of water, making them pretty tolerant of drought for short periods. These plants are susceptible to root rot, so they have a harder time forgiving over-watering. But if you forget to water them once in a while, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

October Daphne plants respond best to the “soak and dry” method of watering. Make sure you always check the soil in-between waterings to avoid over-watering your plants. Whenever the soil has dried out completely, give your succulents a deep soaking and remove any extra water from their tray. For optimal drainage, their pots must have drainage holes at the bottom.

When your October Daphne plants do not enjoy their watering routine, they will have no restraint to show it. In case of excessive watering, these plants have a higher chance of falling victim to problems caused by fungus and bacteria. The most common signs of over-watering are damaged roots and withering and discolored foliage. If you notice any of these indicators on your plants, refrain from watering and make sure you grow them in well-draining soil.

Propagating Sedum Sieboldii

The gorgeous patterns with which Sedum sieboldii plants are coming along are absolutely eye-catching. They are so irresistible that we understand your inner urge to have more of these beauties around. And why not surprise your family and friends with a gift? If you know they are big plant-lovers, we guarantee you that these plants will steal their hearts in just a second! Luckily, they can be propagated without much effort through stem cuttings, division, or seeds.

If you want to propagate October Daphne plants from cuttings, make sure you do it during the summer months. Remove a healthy stem from the mother plant using a sterilized tool, such as a pair of scissors or a sharp knife. The cuttings must be allowed to callous for several days in a warm and shaded location. Once they calloused well, plant them in well-draining soil and provide them with water whenever it has dried out completely.

The division is probably the easiest method to propagate your October Daphne plants. All you have to do is to dig out the plants from their current growing medium and divide their toot ball into two to four sections. After this process, you have to plant each section in its individual pot. Your plants will respond well to division if it is done in early spring, once their dormant period has come to an end.

The ideal time to propagate Sedum sieboldii plants through seeds is when the outside temperatures range from 40 to 70 °F (4-21 °C), mostly in spring. Sow the seeds in suitable and well-draining potting soil just above the substrate. However, this method will show some results after a longer period than with cuttings or division. If you water the soil whenever it feels dry to the touch, the seeds will germinate in several weeks.

In Conclusion

If you are an innate succulent-lover, you have no excuses to not add October Daphne plants to your collection! Besides their gorgeous appearance, they are very easy-going and can be grown by any type of gardener. And who wouldn’t enjoy some shades of pink indoors or outside in a garden? We know from experience that is hard to resist these adorable babies!

Are you growing Sedum Sieboldii? Share your experience in the comments!