Sweet and Sour Sedum

Sedum kamtschaticum 'Sweet and Sour'

Plants that Work®

Variegated Foliage Shifts from Bright Yellow Spring Growth to Deep Green with Golden Star Flowers
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 1 ft Tall and Wide
Showy Yellow Blooms From Early Summer to Late Summer
Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Songbirds

$26³¹

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Give this Sedum a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to keep the variegated foliage vibrant and the growth habit tight. While it can handle a little bit of shade, too much will cause the stems to get leggy and floppy.
Soil: These thrive in poor, rocky, or sandy soils as long as they drain quickly; they hate having "wet feet." If you have heavy clay soil, amend it with grit or plant in a raised bed to prevent root rot.

Watering Requirements

Water new plants weekly to help their roots get established in your garden soil. Once established, this stonecrop is highly drought-tolerant and only needs supplemental water during extreme dry spells, as too much moisture leads to mushy stems.

Pruning Tips

Clean up the plant in early spring before new growth emerges by cutting back any dried stems from the previous season. You can also pinch back stems early in the growing season if you want to encourage denser, bushier growth.

Fertilizer Needs

Sedums are light feeders and often do best without any fertilizer at all, which keeps them compact. If your soil is extremely poor, a light application of a low-nitrogen organic fertilizer in spring is plenty; avoid high nitrogen, or the plant will grow weak and floppy.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Compact/Dwarf, Flowering, Slopes/Erosion Control, Deer-resistant, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Attracts pollinators, Container Friendly, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	1 ft
Width	1 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Preferred Soil	Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Compact
Blooms In	Summer
Flower Color	Yellow
Foliage Color	Green, Red
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Sedum kamtschaticum 'Sweet and Sour'
Species	kamtschaticum
Cultivar	Sweet and Sour
Class	Saxifragales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Small, but nearly impossible to miss! That is the best way to describe the Sweet n Sour Sedum (Sedum kamtschaticum 'Sweet and Sour') with its vibrant foliage! This low groundcover plant has variegated dark green to buttery-yellow foliage that creates a vivid two-tone hue as new growth is much lighter than older succulent foliage.

The succulent oval radiant leaves emerge a bright yellow in the spring before turning back into a dark green coloration. You won't be able to miss this stunning plant even when in the mix of other flowers. Come mid-summer, the most captivating golden yellow star flowers bloom beautifully and attract loads of pollinators like bees and butterflies!

This plant only grows to be 4 inches tall and 18 inches wide making it fabulous for filling the dull, empty spots to make your look complete. Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 4-9 and growing just 6-8 inches tall and 10-15 inches wide, this Stonecrop variety will grow in rough stuff, including sharply drained, sandy soils.

Planting and Application:

Sweet n Sour Sedum looks wonderful in mass planting along the edges of your patio and makes an illuminating, clean border for you and your guests to sit back and enjoy. Use them as an effective filler and spiller in your exterior container plantings and patio container gardens. They'll draw the eye, and add dramatic low-growing color. You can gift them as an easy-care, sun-loving exterior container plant potted up in Cactus mix.

Sedum is listed as a Firewise plant for many states and is a perfect choice to decorate the defensible space around your home and other structures. Sedums are also great for water-wise, Xeriscape gardens! Use on slopes, banks, borders, mass plantings, and in container combinations and everywhere in your sunny garden that you need a little brightness!

Small but mighty they are a great selection for your Rock Garden. What a statement they will make showing off how hardy they are in the sunny dry areas in your garden!

Dark Green to Buttery Yellow Foliage
Golden Yellow Star-Shaped Summer Flowers
Pollinator Friendly Blooms
Low-Growing Mat-Forming Miniature Mounds
Illuminating in Mass Plantings, Accents & Container Plants & Edging

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Be sure to give your perennial Sedum the very best treatment possible by planting in full sun to partial shade with very well-drained soil. To make the yellow coloration wow the crowd and ensure even moisture, you can add a 3-4 inch thick layer of arborist mulch to the base. This low-maintenance plant will need the occasional clean-up in the early spring to allow for the best growth possible in the next growing season.

Best Color in Full Sun
Moderate to Low Soil Moisture Once Established
Nearly Any Very Well-Drained Soil Type
Prune Back Early Spring
Drought Tolerant & Deer Seldom Bother These

Everyone needs a little hint of sweet n sour in their life and what better way to add that to your life with the Sweet and Sour Sedum! Order your very own today at Nature Hills Nursery!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will Sweet and Sour Sedum survive in my zone 3 garden?

Sweet and Sour Sedum is hardy in USDA zones 4-9, so it won't survive zone 3 winters. The plant needs the milder conditions of zone 4 or warmer to return each spring. Consider it as an annual or choose a hardier groundcover sedum variety for your climate.

What is the mature height and spread of Sweet and Sour Sedum?

Sweet and Sour Sedum reaches 6-8 inches tall and spreads 10-15 inches wide at maturity. This compact stonecrop thrives in USDA zones 4-9, making it perfect for tight spaces and container gardens. Use it as groundcover or border edging for maximum impact, available at naturehills.com.

Does Sweet and Sour Sedum stay low-growing, around 4-8 inches?

Yes, Sweet and Sour Sedum stays compact at just 4-8 inches tall and spreads 10-18 inches wide. This low-growing stonecrop is perfect for borders, rock gardens, and filling gaps between taller plants. Plant it where you need reliable groundcover that won't outgrow its space.

Does Sweet and Sour Sedum need full sun or tolerate partial shade?

Sweet and Sour Sedum thrives in full sun conditions and is described as a sun-loving plant. While it can tolerate some light shade, full sun brings out the best variegated foliage colors and prolific golden blooms. Plant in your sunniest garden spots for optimal growth and flowering.

How often should I water Sweet and Sour Sedum once established?

Sweet and Sour Sedum is extremely drought tolerant once established and rarely needs supplemental watering. This hardy succulent thrives in sandy, well-draining soils and is perfect for water-wise gardens. Water only during extended dry periods or if leaves appear shriveled.

What type of soil does Sweet and Sour Sedum prefer, well-drained only?

Sweet and Sour Sedum thrives in sharply drained, sandy soils and tolerates rough growing conditions. This hardy stonecrop actually prefers poor, dry soils over rich, moist ones. Plant it in well-draining soil and avoid overwatering for best results.

Will Sweet and Sour Sedum arrive dormant, and is that normal?

Sweet and Sour Sedum may arrive dormant during fall and winter months, which is completely normal for this hardy perennial. Dormant plants are actually preferred for shipping as they establish better with less transplant shock. Plant dormant sedum in zones 4-9 and expect vibrant yellow spring growth once temperatures warm.

Sweet and Sour Sedum

Sedum kamtschaticum 'Sweet and Sour'