The Sedum adolphi (Golden Sedum) after I brought it home on 8-25-12, #116-47.
Golden Sedum
Sedum adolphi
SEE-dum ad-OL-fee-eye
Syn.
Sedum nussbaumerianum
SEE-dum nuss-baw-mer-AH-uh
Synonym of Sedum adolphi (1) Updated on 12-15-23 from Plants of the World Online): Sedum nussbaumerianum Bitter (1923)
Sedum adolphi Raym.-Hamet is the correct and accepted name for this species of Sedum. It was named and described by Raymond-Hamet in Notizblatt des Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin in 1912.
This species is commonly sold under the name Sedum nussbaumerianum which is a synonym of Sedum adolphi. It was named and described by Friedrich August Georg Bitter in Notizblatt des Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin in 1923.
Many websites and databases spell Sedum adolphi with two “i’s”. IPNI (International Plant Names Index) shows one “I”. That is the way the author spelled it in 1912.
The genus, Sedum L., was named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.
As of 12-15-25 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online by Kew lists 476 accepted species of Sedum. It is a member of the plant family Crassulaceae with 36 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.
THERE ARE A FEW LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING.
Top view of the Sedum adolphi on 8-25-12, #116-48.
I bought my first Sedum adolphi from Lowe’s or Walmart in Greenville, Mississippi in 2012 while I was living at the mansion in Leland. I bought several other succulents including a very similar Sedum nussbaumerianum (Copper Stonecrop) which turned out to be the same thing…
The Sedum adolphi at 3″ tall x 5″ wide on 11-23-12, #131-36.
I always liked Sedum and living at the mansion in Mississippi allowed me a chance to try so many. There were several sunrooms where I could overwinter plants inside that weren’t cold-hardy there. The Sedum adolphi is definitely the brightest Sedum I have ever grown.
Sedum adolphi on 2-17-13, #139-56.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Family: Crassulaceae
Origin: Mexico
Zones: USDA Zones 9-11 (20 to 40° F)
Size: 6-12” tall
Light: Sun to light shade
*Soil: Well-drained. Potting soil amended with pumice (50/50) or additional perlite and chicken grit (2-1-1).
Water: Average. Water regularly during the growing period, barely in the winter.
*There are a lot of potting soil recipes online and many people develop their own with experience and what is readily available. Read the ingredients on the bag and always start with a base of reliable brand-name potting soil. I always use either Miracle Grow or Schultz Potting soil because I can buy it in large bags. They also offer cactus soil in smaller bags with similar ingredients. I used 2 parts potting soil with 1 part additional pumice and 1 part chicken grit. After reading that cactus and succulent enthusiasts were recommending pumice in place of perlite and grit, I decided to try. So, since late in 2018 I purchased a bag of pumice online from General Pumice. I have been using a combination of about 50% potting soil and 50% pumice if I have it. If not, I use the chicken grit and perlite. I really don’t see much difference and the pumice floats to the top of the pot just like perlite.
You can read my Cactus Talk & Update and Cactus & Succulent Tips to get my opinion about growing cacti and succulents.
<<<<2013 NOW IN MISSOURI>>>>
Sedum adolphi on 4-9-13, #142-29.
When I moved back to the family farm in mid-Missouri in February 2013, I had to give up several hundred plants. I did bring most of my succulents and many other plants including this Sedum adolphii.
Sedum adolphi on 6-1-13, #151-66.
All Sedums require well-draining soil. Sedum grown in pots can be placed in potting soil that you may want to amend with additional grit (chicken grit) and pumice or perlite. Many cactus and succulent growers recommend pumice over perlite but I couldn’t find it locally so I used perlite.
Sedum adolphi on 7-30-13, #165-54.
It was very good to see the Sedum adolphi had a new offset. Many times I don’t notice what the plants are doing until I take photos. It is easy to get busy doing other things on the farm, the garden, and flower beds, and take for granted the potted plants are fine.
Sedum adolphi on 8-23-13, #178-85.
Sedums do very well in full sun to light shade. Some even do just fine in more shade. My Sedum adolphi was on a table behind the shed where it received a good amount of morning sun then part to light shade after that.
Sedum adolphi on 10-7-13, #193-75.
I always give my cactus and succulents water at the same time as the other potted plants although I usually just lightly go over them. I only water them once in a while they are inside for the winter.
Sedum adolphi on 12-7-13, #208-46.
The Sedum adolphi grew a lot over the summer of 2013 for sure. Once temps started getting too cool for them to be outside in October I had to bring the potted plants inside.
<<<<2014>>>>
Sedum adolphi on 6-1-14, #228-73.
Back outside for the summer in the same area as in 2013.
Sedum adolphi leaf cuttings on 7-12-14, #231-79.
Sedum is easily propagated by leaf and stem cutting and by division. It is best to make divisions in the spring for plants grown in the ground so their roots can become established well by fall.
Sedum adolphi on 7-12-14, #231-80.
I gave up most of my plants after the above photo was taken in 2014 then I had to start over again.
<<<<2017>>>>
Sedum adolphi on 6-24-17, #349-73.
I found another Sedum adolphi in 2016. For some reason, I didn’t manage it well but it survived the neglect… I’m not sure why I kept overlooking this plant. I kept telling it I knew it needed some work but I didn’t…
<<<<2018>>>>
Sedum adolphi on 7-30-18, #488-19.
It survived the winter inside and I promised it I would re-pot it if it did well during the summer. Well, it did better…
Sedum adolphi in its new pot on 8-13-18, #496-6.
So, on August 8, I put the Sedum adolphi in a new pot.
Sedum adolphi on 8-29-18, #501-3.
The Sedum adolphi seems to be very happy now…
Sedum adolphi on 10-10-19, #519-63.
Summer was over and once again I had to move the potted plants inside for the winter on October 10.
<<<<2019>>>>
Sedum adolphi on 5-5-19, #566-63.
Winter was over and I was glad to be able to move the plants back outside for the summer.
Sedum adolphi on 6-16-19, #591-39.
LOOKING GREAT!
Sedum adolphi on 10-11-19, #639-85.
I had to move the potted plants inside for the winter on October 11 because an “F” was in the forecast. All the plants did very well over the summer and Sedum adolphi was looking GREAT! Hard to believe this is the same plant that was almost down to nothing in 2017.
<<<<2020>>>>
Sedum adolphi (Golden Sedum) on 10-15-20, #747-96.
I had to move the potted plants inside for the winter on October 15 because an “F” was in the forecast. As always, I took photographs as I moved them inside and measured the cactus and part of the succulents. I don’t usually measure Sedum adolphii because it is a sprawler. It did very well over the summer and is now inside on a shelf in front of a south-facing window for the winter.
Sedum adolphi (Golden Sedum) on 10-15-20, #747-97.
<<<<2021>>>>
Sedum adolphi on 8-17-21, #826-42.
The Sedum adolphi did fine over the summer in 2021 although it needed a little more attention. I was planning on re-growing the stems but I got busy with the garden and avoiding the heat… It will be fine over the winter inside and I can do it next spring.
<<<<2023>>>>
Sedum adolphi (Golden Sedum/Coppertone Stonecrop) on 10-24-23, #968-28.
Even though there was no “F” in the forecast until October 30, it was going to be a rainy week so I moved the potted plants inside on the 23rd and 24th. Time for photos and measurements… The Sedum adolphi did very well over the summer on the front porch despite the heat. Perhaps I should give it a trimming and put it in a larger pot. I think I have been saying that for a while…
Sedum adolphi is very easy to grow and does well in pots inside and out. It prefers bright light but even does OK in light shade. Water very sparingly over the winter. It is very easy to propagate from both stem and leaf cuttings. Just let the stem or leaves scab over for about 7 days before you put them in the soil to root.
I hope you enjoyed this page and maybe found it useful. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, I would like to hear from you. Please click on “like” if you visited this page. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. 🙂 You can check out the links below for further reading. The links take you directly to the genus and species of this plant.
The Belmont Rooster 