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Phedimus spurius
Also called False Stonecrop, Two Row Stonecrop
Caucasian stonecrop is a low, spreading succulent perennial that creeps along the ground and roots as it grows, widely grown as a drought-tolerant ground cover. The key to growing it is full sun and very sharp drainage; it is vigorous and can spread aggressively.
Phedimus spurius, formerly Sedum spurium, the Caucasian stonecrop or two-row stonecrop, is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae. It is a low-growing, spreading succulent with stems that creep along the ground and root as they grow.
P. spurius occurs naturally in the rocky subalpine meadows of Georgia, northern Iran, and northeastern Turkey. It has naturalized in Europe, often found along roadsides, walls, and waste areas, escaping cultivation to form persistent colonies. It is widely grown for its tolerance of drought and rocky conditions. Wild populations and cultivars vary in color from white to red; greener-leaved plants produce paler blooms and those with red or purple foliage developing deeper-colored flowers.
The horticulturist Ray Stephenson has described Phedimus spurius as "perhaps ... the most common stonecrop in cultivation". It thrives in well-drained, acidic to neutral soils with dry to moderate moisture levels and prefers full sun, though it can handle some light shade. It grows well in sandy or gravelly soil, adapts to nutrient-poor conditions, and requires proper drainage to stay healthy. It is highly drought-resistant and should not be overwatered. Pests and diseases rarely attack it, but snails, slugs, and scale insects may appear.
Phedimus spurius is commonly planted in rock gardens, small-scale ground cover, and border fronts, this plant also thrives in stone wall crevices, sunny slopes, and along edges. Due to its vigorous spreading habit, it is unsuitable for small rock gardens but excels as a fast-growing ground cover. It can overtake more delicate species and requires management. The plant struggles in containers, needing ample space to expand. It may also be used in green roofs.
The type specimen of Phedimus spurius was collected in Georgia. The species is distributed in Georgia, northern Iran, and northeastern Turkey, where it inhabits cool, rocky sites and subalpine meadows at elevations ranging from 1,250 to 3,000 meters.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Phedimus spurius by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
