Jenny’s Stonecrop, scientifically known as Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’, is a popular and low-maintenance succulent, recognized for its vibrant chartreuse to golden needle-like foliage. This article provides a detailed guide to propagating this resilient plant, allowing gardeners to easily expand their collection and enhance their landscapes.
Why Propagate Jenny’s Stonecrop
Propagating Jenny’s Stonecrop offers several advantages. It allows gardeners to expand their collection cost-effectively, filling garden beds or containers without purchasing new plants. The process also allows for sharing this attractive succulent with others. Additionally, propagation helps maintain the vigor of mature plants by encouraging new growth and preventing overcrowding.
When to Propagate Jenny’s Stonecrop
The optimal time for propagating Jenny’s Stonecrop is during its active growing season, typically in late spring or early summer. Warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours during these months create ideal conditions for new roots to establish quickly. While this hardy plant can be propagated at other times, spring and early summer offer the highest success rates.
How to Propagate Jenny’s Stonecrop
Propagating Jenny’s Stonecrop can be achieved through stem cuttings or division.
Stem Cuttings
For stem cuttings, select a healthy, non-flowering stem about two to five inches in length from the parent plant. Using clean, sharp snips, cut just below a leaf node. Remove leaves from the bottom inch or two to expose the stem. Some gardeners allow the cut end to callus for a few days to a week before planting, which can help prevent rot. Plant the cutting about one inch deep into a well-draining succulent or sandy potting mix.
Division
Division is another effective method, especially for larger, established plants. Carefully dig up the entire Jenny’s Stonecrop plant without damaging its shallow root system. Gently separate the plant into smaller sections, ensuring each new section has healthy roots and foliage. Replant these divisions directly into the garden or new pots. Jenny’s Stonecrop roots easily, with even broken stems often rooting if they contact soil.
Caring for Your New Jenny’s Stonecrop Plants
After propagation, new Jenny’s Stonecrop plants require specific care for establishment.
Care for Stem Cuttings
For stem cuttings, keep the soil lightly moist, allowing it to dry between waterings to avoid overwatering. Rooting typically occurs within two to three weeks; gently tug the stem to check for resistance, indicating root development. Once rooted, place new plants in bright, indirect light initially, then gradually transition them to full sun.
Care for Divided Plants
Newly divided plants need consistent, moderate watering during their first growing season for establishment.
Providing ample sunlight and proper drainage will support overall robust growth and help the new plants develop into healthy, mat-forming groundcovers. Jenny’s Stonecrop performs best in well-draining soil, whether planted in the ground or in containers. Once established, this succulent is drought-tolerant, so frequent watering is unnecessary.