Buy Now, Plant Later! Spring Reservations Are Open

Free Shipping On Orders Over $199

Reserve Your Spring Garden Now

Growing Zone: | Garden in
Find your Growing Zone!

Autumn Joy Sedum

Sedum 'Herbstfreude'

Regular price $2969
In Stock

Unfortunately, this item cannot be shipped to your state.

Shipping to a different address?

Shipping to your area may be delayed due to weather conditions.

Shipping to a different address?

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Find your Growing Zone
Plant Size

Plant Sentry™

Plant Sentry Protected

Plant Sentry™ Protected

Your order is protected by our compliance system that:

  • Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
  • Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
  • Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases

Learn more about Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Delivery and Shipping

Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 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

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Attracts pollinators, Container Friendly, and Non-invasive

Specifications

  • Botanical Name
    Sedum 'Herbstfreude'
  • Height
    1-2 ft
  • Width
    1-2 ft
  • Growing Zones
    3-9
  • Sunlight
    • Full sun
  • Growth Rate
    Fast
  • Flower Color
    • Red
    • Pink
  • Leaf Color
    • Green
  • Fall Color
    Yellow
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Bloom Period
    Early Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Late Fall
  • Does Not Ship To
    AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Plant your Autumn Joy Sedum where it will receive at least 6 hours of full, direct sun daily. While it can survive in partial shade, too little sun causes the stems to become leggy and flop over, and the flower heads won't be as vibrant or dense.
  • Soil: These plants thrive in poor to average, well-draining soil and actually struggle in rich, heavy mixes. If you have clay soil, amend it heavily with grit or perlite to improve drainage, as "wet feet" is the quickest way to kill this succulent-like perennial.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water deeply once a week to help the root system establish, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Once established, Autumn Joy is highly drought-tolerant and rarely needs supplemental water unless you are experiencing an extended dry spell. Overwatering is more dangerous than underwatering, often leading to rot or weak, floppy stems that can't support the heavy flower heads.

Pruning Tips

This perennial blooms on new wood, so you can prune it back in late spring to control height and encourage bushier growth. Many gardeners perform the "Chelsea Chop" in late May or early June by cutting the stems back by half; this delays blooming slightly but results in shorter, sturdier plants that are less likely to split open in the center. You can leave the dried flower heads on the plant through winter for visual interest, cutting them back to the ground in early spring before new growth emerges.

Fertilizer Needs

Autumn Joy Sedum generally does not require fertilizer and often performs better without it. If your soil is extremely poor, you can apply a light layer of compost in the spring, but avoid synthetic fertilizers, especially those high in nitrogen. Excess nitrogen promotes rapid, weak growth that makes the plant flop open and become unsightly.

Fall is one of the best times to get outside and enjoy your garden. Experienced landscapers know how important it is to plan around the end of the growing season. After all, it's not so darn hot out, and you'll love having family and friends over for get-togethers.

One of the very best plants to use for end-of-season interest is definitely Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum spectabile 'Autumn Joy', also known as Sedum 'Herbstfreude' and Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude'). You'll make a big statement with this dramatic perennial.

Now, between you and I... this is one of the easiest plants in the world to grow. One of the common names for this plant is "Stonecrop". Does that give you a big hint? Don't worry, it can be our secret how completely easy this plant is.

Autumn Joy is just the right name for this great variety. It's a super hardy succulent, with substantially thick, grayish-green leaves. This plant gives you a big presence with a clean, polished look.

The plant shoots emerge from the ground in spring in a nice formal rounded clump. Leaves emerge in early summer. The shoots elongate and by early July, form flat-topped flower bud clusters on the tips of each branch. The flowers open to a light pink and continue to darken as the season progresses. By late fall, those plate-like flower heads have turned a deep, dark garnet color.

Bees and butterflies, such as the Monarch, really love this plant, too. The large, flat flowers make perfect landing pads for them to land on and feast on the nectar. They'll "fill up" at this flower buffet, then continue on their long migration. Once the flowers open, there will rarely be a time when the butterflies aren't feasting on top of those flowers...not ever! It's one of nature's great shows.

Hardy perennial Sedums like Autumn Joy, also known as Herbstfreude Sedum, thrive throughout USDA growing zones 3 to 9 and handle sun, drought, heat, and chill!

Planting and Application:

This is one of the most exciting and hardy garden perennials that you can plant in your garden. That's why Autumn Joy has become one of Nature Hills' most popular perennials!

They make fantastic plants edging a formal flower bed or very informally added to a mixed border. But what they have really become is an amazing landscape plant with a solid presence year-round! Fill out a Rock Garden or xeric landscaping area where these plants really shine, like hell strips along the road, sidewalk, and driveway!

Let it take center stage, or use it as a colorful backdrop for other, smaller plants like ground covers. Pair them with other fall-blooming plants, such as Rudbeckias, Asters, and Ornamental Grasses in a fall garden.

For a short, seasonal display, simply pop the growing container directly into your ornamental pots. This makes an easy-peasy change out from your summer look right into an Autumn themed container.

Cut flowers can last for weeks in your flower arrangements. Just cut the sturdy stems down at any stage and they will work beautifully for you. Even the deep, dark dried flower stems are fantastic in dried arrangements or for use in your fall and winter pots or décor!

  • Large, Dark Pink Flower Heads
  • Succulent Thick Gray-Green Foliage
  • Butterfly Magnet!
  • Xeriscaping & Zone 1 Firescaping Plants
  • Fall & Winter Interest
  • Large Planters, Edging, Garden Accents & Pollinators

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Sedum like Autumn Joy needs to be planted in full sun in well-drained soil. This perennial will tolerate most soil types and is very drought resistant. It actually prefers drier soil! In fact, plants that are grown in rich, moist soils may produce heavy, weaker growth that flops as the flower heads develop. If this sounds like your soil, simply plan to snip back the new growth by a few inches. Do this as soon as your stems reach about a foot tall. Don't worry, they'll soon produce new flowers on the shortened stems, but the stems will be much sturdier for you.

Be sure to leave the stems and flowers on the plant standing, even after a frost comes. In the meantime, Autumn Joy Sedum is really wonderful in winter! The seed heads turn a dark brown color and remain rigid and erect to catch and sculpt the snow all winter long. You'll love this fantastic addition to your winter garden. It's easy enough to do a quick cleanup in early spring. Just cut the dried stems down to the ground.

  • Sun-Loving Hardy Succulent
  • Thrives in Almost Any Well-Drained Soil - Poor Soil Tolerant
  • Regular Moisture At First - Drought Tolerant Once Established
  • Prune Down Early Spring
  • Low-Maintenance & Easy to Grow

Don't let another year go by without growing Autumn Joy Sedum for an amazing Fall Garden display. You'll adore these expertly grown perennials from Nature Hills. Order today and make your fall garden shine!

Stonecrop Frequently Asked Questions

How To Grow And Care For Sedum?

Also known as Stonecrop, Sedum needs full sun for the most flowers and very well-drained soil. Provide moderate, regular moisture and fertility. Prune down in the very early spring.

Will Sedum come back every year?

Sedum are reliable perennials so long as they have well-drained soil year-round.

What happens to Sedum in winter?

Sedum are herbaceous perennials that will lose their leaves after frost and die back to the ground. They leave behind ornamental dried flowers and stems for winter interest. In spring, they regrow from their root systems anew!

Will Stonecrop spread quickly?

Stonecrop or Sedum will not spread or become invasive, staying put where it's planted as low-growing mounding plants.

What Shipping Options Do You Offer?

NatureHills.com works closely with our growers and nursery professionals to ensure we ship when it is most appropriate for your area. Our goal is to deliver the hardiest plants by avoiding extreme high and low temperatures. Check out our shipping schedule for more information and to learn our wills and won'ts when it comes to shipping plants. Find your Stonecrop Sedum for sale here at NatureHills.com!

Find Your Garden's Growing Zone!

Your Current Growing Zone:

Zone

ZIP Code:

✓ Growing Zone Set Successfully!

Your zone has been saved and will be used throughout the site.

⚠ Unable to locate a growing zone for that ZIP code.

Please check your ZIP code and try again.

Looking up your growing zone...

When ordering a tree or plant, make sure to know your planting zone.

You can determine your garden's USDA hardiness zone by entering your Zip Code below.