Sedum 'Dragon's Blood'
Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood'
This stunning succulent ground cover lives up to its dramatic name with deep red foliage that intensifies in cool weather and bright star-shaped pink flowers in summer. Perfect for rock gardens, green roofs, and anywhere you need extremely low-maintenance coverage. This drought-tolerant spreader thrives in poor soils and challenging conditions where other plants fail, making it ideal for xeriscaping and sustainable landscapes.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
SEE-dum
Zones
3–9
USDA hardiness
Height
3-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' in USDA Zone 7
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Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' · Zones 3–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: SEE-dum. Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry, Very Dry. Water: 'African Sunset', 'Birthday Party', 'Blue Spruce', 'Chocolate Drop', 'Cutting Edge', 'Garnet Brocade', 'Hopewell', 'October Sunset', 'Peace and Joy', 'Pillow Talk', 'Plum Perfection', 'Rock Star', 'Rosy Glow', 'Soft Cloud', SunSparkler® Series, 'Thundercloud', 'Touchdown Teak', 'Twinkling Star'. Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Slow. Maintenance: 'African Sunset', 'Birthday Party', 'Blue Spruce', 'Chocolate Drop', 'Cutting Edge', 'Garnet Brocade', 'Hopewell', 'October Sunset', 'Peace and Joy', 'Pillow Talk', 'Plum Perfection', 'Rock Star', 'Rosy Glow', 'Soft Cloud', SunSparkler® Series, 'Thundercloud', 'Touchdown Teak', 'Twinkling Star'. Propagation: Leaf Cutting, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Fruit follicular, membranous or leathery, often surrounded by a persistent membranous corolla, opening on the adaxial side, Seeds mostly minute, usually with fleshy endosperm.
Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Bloom time: Fall, Spring, Summer
Edibility: The stems and leaves can be eaten raw when very young and tender. Later, until they flower, they may be eaten after briefly cooking. Not poisonous, but when eaten in quantity, can cause stomach upset.
History & Origin
Origin: East Asia
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Drought, Dry Soil, Foot Traffic, Heat, Poor Soil
- +Attracts: The stems and leaves can be eaten raw when very young and tender. Later, until they flower, they may be eaten after briefly cooking. Not poisonous, but when eaten in quantity, can cause stomach upset.
- +Wildlife value: Bees enjoy the nectar. Birds enjoy the seeds.
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Lavender
Shares similar drought tolerance and well-draining soil needs, repels pests
Thyme
Compatible growing conditions, both prefer dry soil and full sun
Ornamental Grasses
Provides textural contrast while sharing drought tolerance and minimal water needs
Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum)
Similar succulent care requirements and creates attractive succulent garden combinations
Black-Eyed Susan
Drought tolerant perennial that complements the red foliage with bright yellow blooms
Stonecrop Varieties
Other sedums create cohesive plantings with identical care requirements
Catmint
Drought tolerant with similar soil preferences, attracts beneficial pollinators
Russian Sage
Shares preference for dry, well-draining soil and full sun exposure
Keep Apart
Hosta
Requires consistently moist soil and shade, opposite of sedum's dry, sunny needs
Impatiens
Needs regular watering and partial shade, incompatible with sedum's drought conditions
Astilbe
Requires moist, rich soil and partial shade, conflicting with sedum's preferences
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent disease resistance, may develop rot in overly wet conditions
Common Pests
Aphids, mealybugs occasionally
Diseases
Root rot in poorly drained soil, otherwise very disease resistant