Sedum (Showy Stonecrop) in Zone 6a & 6b
Hylotelephium spectabile
Yes, sedum (showy stonecrop) grows in zones 6a and 6b and comes back each year. Plant it outside Apr 11–Apr 18.
When to plant sedum (showy stonecrop) in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 11–Apr 18 |
| Estimated bloom | First real harvest the season after planting |
Spacing: about 2 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Before you plant: Sedum (showy stonecrop) has a winter-hardiness note for zone 6b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 6b
These go outside within two weeks of sedum (showy stonecrop) in zone 6b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)Apr 11–Apr 18
- AstilbeApr 11–Apr 18
- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)Apr 11–Apr 18
- Basket-of-GoldApr 11–Apr 18
- Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)Apr 11–Apr 18
- CalendulaApr 11–Apr 18
Showy stonecrop is the border sedum with flat flower heads that open dusty pink in late summer and dry to rust.
How sedum (showy stonecrop) fits zone 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Sedum (showy stonecrop) takes about 1 growing season to reach full flowering, so what matters here is how many of these seasons it gets, not whether one is long enough.
Sedum (showy stonecrop) is hardy in zones 4-9, so in zone 6b it stays in the ground through winter and comes back rather than being replanted. Allow about 1.5 ft of spread at maturity.
Sedum (Showy Stonecrop) planting windows in every zone
Zone 6b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 1–May 8 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Apr 26–May 3 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 6a & 6b (your zone) | Not usually | Apr 11–Apr 18 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 27–Apr 3 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 11–Mar 18 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Feb 1–Feb 8 | First real harvest the season after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for sedum (showy stonecrop).
Where to buy sedum seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's sedum seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing sedum (showy stonecrop)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 6b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
%20in%20USDA%20zone%206b%3A%20when%20to%20start%20seeds%20indoors%2C%20when%20to%20direct-sow%2C%20and%20when%20to%20expect%20a%20bloom.)
Pin this for later
Growing Sedum (Showy Stonecrop) in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest