Lavender, with its aromatic purple blooms and silvery-green foliage, is a popular perennial known for its fragrance, use in essential oils, and visual appeal. Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a diverse succulent genus featuring fleshy leaves that store water. These hardy plants are recognized for their various leaf colors, including shades of green, blue, silver, purple, or copper.
Why Lavender and Sedum Are Perfect Partners
Growing lavender and sedum together creates a visually appealing, low-maintenance garden. Their contrasting forms and textures—lavender’s upright spikes and sedum’s fleshy leaves and flat flower clusters—provide visual interest. Sedum varieties offer colors from white, yellow, pink, and red, complementing lavender’s purple hues. This pairing extends the garden’s bloom season, as many sedum varieties flower from late summer into fall, often after lavender has peaked.
Both plants are drought-tolerant once established, making them suitable for water-wise gardening. This simplifies care and contributes to a resilient garden. Both lavender and sedum attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, enriching biodiversity. Their combined presence supports local ecosystems by providing nectar sources over an extended period.
Shared Growing Requirements
Lavender and sedum thrive in similar environmental conditions, making them compatible garden companions. Both plants require full sun, at least six to eight hours daily. Insufficient light can lead to leggy growth and reduced bloom production in sedum.
Well-draining soil is essential for both, as they are susceptible to root rot in waterlogged conditions. They prefer gritty, sandy, or rocky soil over rich, heavy loam, allowing excess water to drain quickly. Neither plant requires highly fertile soil, performing well even in poor to average nutrient conditions. They prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH, typically above 6 for lavender.
Planting and Ongoing Care
When planting lavender and sedum together, adequate spacing ensures proper air circulation and prevents fungal issues. Space lavender plants 2 to 3 feet apart, depending on mature size. Sedum spacing varies by type; upright varieties may need 1 to 2 feet, while creeping types can be planted closer for groundcover. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball for each plant to allow roots to spread easily.
After planting, both benefit from a thorough initial watering to settle the soil. Once established, their watering needs become minimal due to drought tolerance. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings, especially during prolonged dry spells. Overwatering is a common cause of decline for both plants.
Pruning maintains plant shape and encourages vigor. Lavender benefits from light pruning after its main bloom period to promote bushiness and potentially a second flush of flowers. For sedum, minimal pruning is needed, limited to removing spent flower heads or trimming leggy growth. Neither lavender nor sedum requires significant fertilization; they perform well in lean soil, and excessive nutrients can lead to weak, leggy growth.
Troubleshooting and Considerations
Overwatering is a major threat to both lavender and sedum, often leading to root rot. Symptoms include yellowing leaves and a general decline in plant vigor. Poor drainage exacerbates this issue by preventing excess moisture from escaping the root zone. Ensuring well-draining soil from the outset is the most effective preventative measure.
While resilient, both plants can face issues. Lavender is pest-resistant due to its strong scent, deterring common garden pests. Sedum is also pest-free, though slugs and snails can be a concern. Both plants are hardy in most temperate zones and require minimal winter protection, especially when established.