Species · genus Sedum · Crassulaceae

Mexican Stonecrop

Sedum mexicanum Britton

Growth habit

succulent subshrub

Native range

Guatemala, Mexico Central, Mexico Southeast

Sedum mexicanum — reference photo — Imuzak · Public domain

Cultivars of S. mexicanum

The named forms growers keep — each with its own page, each honest about how much we know.

No named cultivars catalogued under S. mexicanum yet. When growers document a stable, named form, it earns its own page here.

Guide

The species-level account. Cultivar pages build on this and say where they differ.

A Mound-Forming Sedum

Sedum mexicanum, often sold under names like 'Lemon Ball' or 'Lemon Coral', is a low, mat-forming succulent perennial in the stonecrop family. It stays under about 10cm tall, spreading via trailing, rooting stems packed with needle-like, vibrant yellow-green leaves.

Source: RHS

Sun, Drainage, Shelter

This sedum wants full sun and a sheltered spot to do well, set in moderately fertile, well-drained soil that runs alkaline to neutral. Chalk, loam, or sandy soils all suit it, so long as drainage is sharp. It is rated drought-resistant and hardy through most of the UK, tolerating winter cold down to around -10 to -5°C.

Source: RHS

Rooting From Cuttings

Propagation is straightforward with softwood cuttings, fitting for a plant whose trailing stems already root readily as they spread.

Source: RHS

Bright Foliage, Starry Flowers

The distinguishing trait here is colour: dense, fleshy, needle-like leaves in a vibrant yellow-green cover the trailing stems. Come summer, clusters of small, starry yellow flowers rise above this foliage, and the stems root as they spread, giving the plant its mounded, mat-forming habit.

Source: RHS

Generally Trouble-Free

This sedum is generally pest-free, one of the easier plants to keep an eye on.

Source: RHS

Watch For Rot

The main risk to watch for is fungal or bacterial crown and root rot, which tends to follow poorly drained soil or excess moisture around the base of the plant.

Source: RHS

Little Fuss Required

No pruning is needed to keep this sedum in shape. It reaches maturity within about 2 to 5 years and works well as ground cover, edging, or in containers and rock gardens for a low-maintenance planting.

Source: RHS

Care recipe

The species record — the baseline every cultivar inherits unless it says otherwise.

Care notes are early — not yet verified

Light: ai:claude-opus-4-8
Water: ai:claude-opus-4-8 (range 10-21d)
Humidity: ai:claude-opus-4-8
Soil: ai:claude-fable-5
Care: ai:claude-fable-5

Light

Direct sun

Water

≈ every 21 days

Humidity

Low — average room

Temperature

5–29 °C

Soil mix

Gritty, fast-draining cactus and succulent mix

Propagation

Stem cuttings or division of the trailing mat

Fertilizing

Light dilute succulent feed once or twice in the growing season

Growth rate

Fast

Flowering

Bright yellow flowers freely in spring and summer

ToxicityAuthoritative · species

Not yet documented

This is where toxicity lives — every cultivar of this species inherits it and none can override it.

Reference images

Every image credited. Licenses link to their deeds.

Sources: ai:claude-opus-4-8 · ai:claude-opus-4-8 (range 10-21d) · ai:claude-fable-5

Kept true by its growers

Every fact here carries its source. Grow Mexican Stonecrop yourself? What you’ve observed — how it drinks, how it holds its color, a name that’s off — and a clear photo of your plant are exactly what keep this page honest. Contributions are reviewed before anything changes.