The “small red carpet succulent” is a popular, low-growing groundcover known for its vibrant coloration and ease of care. It offers striking visual appeal, adding color and texture to landscape designs. It thrives in challenging conditions, making it a resilient and attractive garden addition.
Characteristics and Appearance
This succulent typically forms a dense, spreading mat, usually reaching a height of 3 to 6 inches and spreading 12 to 18 inches wide. Its creeping stems readily root where they touch the soil, making it an effective groundcover. The leaves are fleshy, rounded, and arranged in two rows along the stems.
The foliage initially appears green, but develops rich burgundy, bronze, or deep red tones, especially when exposed to full sun or cooler temperatures. This color transformation gives the plant its “red carpet” effect, intensifying throughout the summer and into fall and winter. In mid to late summer, small, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink or ruby-red emerge, attracting pollinators. This plant is commonly a variety of Sedum spurium, such as ‘Red Carpet’ or ‘Dragon’s Blood’.
Care and Cultivation
It thrives in full sun exposure, which is crucial for developing its most intense red coloration. While it can tolerate some light shade, particularly in hotter climates, too much shade may result in less vibrant foliage. Adequate light is a primary factor in maximizing its visual impact.
This plant is highly drought-tolerant once established, preferring drier conditions. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. During warmer periods, watering once a week may suffice, but adjust frequency based on local climate and soil type.
Well-draining soil is essential, as it does not tolerate soggy conditions. Sandy or gravelly soil mixes are ideal, mimicking its native rocky habitats and ensuring drainage. It can tolerate poor soil conditions, making it adaptable to various garden settings.
The small red carpet succulent is remarkably resilient, hardy in USDA Zones 3-9, tolerating a wide range of temperatures. It tolerates both heat and cold, with some varieties withstanding temperatures down to -30°F. Fertilization is not necessary, as these succulents perform well in nutrient-poor soils and can be damaged by excessive nutrients.
Ideal Uses in the Garden
Its mat-forming growth habit and vibrant foliage make it an excellent groundcover, suppressing weeds and conserving soil moisture. Its ability to spread and root at the nodes creates a dense, living carpet, adding consistent color to the landscape. It is well-suited for rock gardens, where its trailing nature spills attractively over stones and crevices.
It performs well along pathways, as a border plant, or in containers, adding a vibrant touch to patios and balconies. Due to its low-maintenance and drought tolerance, it is ideal for xeriscaping, water-wise gardens, and areas prone to erosion. Its resilience in challenging conditions, including poor soil and heat, makes it a reliable and versatile option for garden designs.
Propagation
Propagating this succulent is straightforward, making it easy to expand your collection or share. The most common methods are stem cuttings or division. For stem cuttings, snip a healthy stem segment and allow the cut end to callus for a day or two before planting in well-draining soil.
The plant’s natural tendency to root where its stems touch the ground facilitates propagation by division. Gently separate rooted sections from the main clump and replant them. The best time for propagation is spring or early summer, when the plant is actively growing. New plants establish within several weeks.