Sedum Varieties for Roofs

Climate Considerations

• Climate proves the single most impactful consideration when growing plants. All plants grow in a specific gamut of climates, known as zone tolerance. Ultimately, most species of plants can grow on rooftops if provided the right conditions. When choosing species of Sedum for a rooftop garden, pick those indigenous to your region or a region with a similar climate. To find species suited for growth in your area, contact a local nursery, garden supply store, university extension or one of the numerous green roofing companies located throughout the United States.

Why Sedum?

• Sedum species make ideal rooftop plants for several reasons. They require little to no soil, growing easily on rocky surfaces like walls. Furthermore, Sedum species generally prefer full sun exposure and possess relatively shallow roots. As succulent plants, they can store large amounts of water in their fleshy leaves, meaning they require minimal watering. The less water rooftop species require, the less you risk water damage to your roof. Sedum species produce flowers in a number of shades, making them appealing for aesthetic and practical reasons.

Michigan State University Green Roof Programs

• Michigan State University maintains a Green Roof Research Program. Research scientists with the program work to indentify ideal species and conditions for rooftop gardens. A publication from this program recommends species of Sedum for rooftop growth on a regional basis. Species recommended for cold regions, such as New England and the Midwest, include Sedum stenopetalum, Sedum tatarinowii, Sedum floriferum and many more. Species recommended for all regions include Sedum ellacombianum, Sedum acre and Sedum kamtschaticum.

Other Recommended Species

• Various other resources recommend Sedum species for growth in green gardens. A publication on roof gardening from the Municipal Council of the Twin Cities region of Minnesota recommends several species for green gardens in the upper Midwest, including Sedum hybridum, Sedum sexangulare and Sedum album. According to a Michigan State University publication, little scientific information on green roofs in southern regions of the United States exists. However, studies conducted in Singapore show that Sedum acre, Sedum mexicanum and Sedum nussbaumerianum grow in climate similar to USDA Zones 10 and 11, or regions with climates similar to those of Victorville, California; Miami, Florida; and Mazatlan, Mexico.

Native Sedum Species

• Various sources recommend Sedum species for growth in regions throughout the United States, though not necessarily for rooftop growth. For instance, Colorado State University recommends Sedum spurium and Sedum acre for growth in the state, though it makes no mention of roof gardens. Washington State University recommends the Red Carpet variety of Sedum spurium for the Pacific Northwest. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Sedum lanceolatum grows throughout the American West and Southwest, Sedum havardii in Texas, Sedum cockerellii throughout the Southwest and Sedum stenopetalum in California and the Pacific Northwest. Whether these crops flourish on rooftops remains unreported.