Short answer
Sometimes. The genus Sedum (stonecrop) includes several species native to North America, but many of the sedums sold at garden centers come from Europe or Asia. “Sedum” on a plant tag tells you little about native status, so the species name matters.
Native sedums
The species below are widely recognized as native to parts of North America. Ranges are general, so confirm what is native in your state or province.
| Species | Common name | General native range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedum ternatum | Woodland stonecrop | Eastern and midwestern United States | Low, light-green foliage; white star-shaped flowers; tolerates shade |
| Sedum glaucophyllum | Cliff stonecrop | Parts of the Appalachians and nearby areas | Rock-garden plant; white flowers |
| Sedum pulchellum | Widow’s cross | South-central United States | Often found on thin soils and rock outcrops |
| Sedum spathulifolium | Broadleaf stonecrop | Pacific coast from British Columbia to California | Yellow flowers; silvery rosettes |
| Sedum oreganum | Oregon stonecrop | Pacific coast, northern California north to Alaska | Mat-forming groundcover |
| Sedum lanceolatum | Spearleaf stonecrop | Western North America | Small, tough, rocky-site species |
Common non-native sedums
- Goldmoss stonecrop (Sedum acre) is introduced from Europe and parts of Asia. It is sold as a groundcover and can naturalize.
- Upright border sedums, such as the well-known ‘Autumn Joy’ types, mostly trace to Asian species. Many are now placed in Hylotelephium.
- Other creeping or “reflexed” sedums, such as S. album and S. rupestre, are of European origin, and S. kamtschaticum is from Asia.
Non-native does not automatically mean invasive, but spreading types like goldmoss can escape into rocky open habitats in some regions.
A taxonomy note
Botanists have moved some plants once called Sedum into other genera. Hylotelephium holds many tall, late-blooming border plants. Rhodiola includes roseroot and ledge stonecrop, some of which are native to northern parts of North America. If you are searching for natives, old names may appear in references, so check both.
Growing native sedums
Native sedums are mostly low and tough, but they differ in what they want:
- Woodland stonecrop grows in sun or shade, with some shade through the day usually best. It tolerates dry spells once established and works as a living mulch on bare soil, moss and gravel. It does not compete well with turf or thick mulch.
- Pacific coast species (S. spathulifolium, S. oreganum) suit well-drained soil, rock walls and containers in cool coastal-type climates.
- Spacing and propagation: most sedums divide easily or root from small stem pieces.
For a shaded garden, you can pair woodland stonecrop with other native understory plants. See our Coreopsis guide if you also need a sun-loving native for the same garden.
Common questions
Is sedum a perennial? Most garden sedums are perennial in suitable climates. Some are evergreen, others die back in winter. Check hardiness for your zone.
Can sedum tolerate part shade? Many can, and woodland stonecrop is among the better choices. Upright border sedums grown in too much shade tend to flop and bloom less.
What eats sedum? Deer and rabbits are often reported to leave sedums alone, though they may nibble if food is scarce. Slugs, snails and voles can damage plants in some gardens. Native pollinators visit the blooms of many species.
What problems do sedums have? Poor drainage and overwatering causing rot are the most common issues. Rich soil and shade can make upright types leggy. Spreading non-natives can be hard to remove.
Checking native status where you live
Use your state native plant society, a botanical garden or a regional plant database to confirm whether a particular stonecrop is native in your county. Native status can change a few miles from the edge of a plant’s range.