Sedum rupestre 'Angelina', often sold as Angelina Stonecrop, is a creeping evergreen succulent prized for its fine, needle-like leaves in a glowing chartreuse-to-gold colour. In bright sun and cooler weather the tips take on coppery amber and orange hues, giving year-round colour with almost no effort.
It spreads quickly to form a dense, drought-tolerant carpet, rooting along the stems as it goes. In Indian gardens it thrives in sunny rockeries, the edges of raised beds, hanging baskets and shallow pots, where it spills attractively over the rim.
In early-to-mid summer it produces small, star-shaped yellow flowers held just above the foliage. Tough, low-maintenance and water-wise, it is well suited to terrace and balcony gardening across most of India.
Specifications
| Family |
Crassulaceae |
| Native region |
Western and Central Europe |
| Mature height |
10-15 cm |
| Mature spread |
45-60 cm (spreading) |
| Growth rate |
Fast |
| Foliage |
Evergreen, needle-like golden-yellow leaves turning amber-orange in cool weather |
| Flower colour |
Yellow |
| Flower season |
Summer |
| Climate zone |
Suits most Indian plains and hill stations; needs protection from heavy monsoon waterlogging |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun for best golden colour; tolerates light afternoon shade in very hot regions. Too much shade turns it greener and leggy. |
| Watering |
Low. Water only when the soil is dry; allow to dry between waterings. Avoid overwatering, which causes rot. |
| Soil / mix |
Light, gritty, very well-draining soil or a cactus/succulent mix; sandy or rocky media are ideal. Avoid heavy, water-retentive soil. |
| Temperature |
Thrives in 15-30 C; tolerant of heat and cold. Protect potted plants from prolonged waterlogging during heavy monsoon. |
| Humidity |
Prefers low to moderate humidity; dislikes constantly damp, humid conditions. |
| Fertilizer |
Minimal feeding. A dilute balanced or low-nitrogen feed once in spring is enough; over-feeding causes weak, floppy growth. |
| Pruning |
Trim or pinch stems anytime to control spread and keep dense; remove faded flower stalks. Cuttings root easily. |
| Repotting |
Repot every 2-3 years or when crowded, into a slightly larger pot with fresh gritty mix; best done in spring. |
| Propagation |
Very easy from stem cuttings or by division; broken stems root readily when laid on moist, gritty soil. |
| Pests & problems |
Generally pest-free; occasional mealybugs, aphids or fungal rot in damp, poorly drained conditions. |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
- Drought-tolerant groundcover for rockeries, gravel gardens and slopes
- Edging plant for raised beds and pathways
- Spiller in mixed succulent pots, hanging baskets and terrace planters
- Year-round golden foliage colour with very low water needs
- Good choice for water-wise and low-maintenance balcony gardens
Growing tips
Grow in the sunniest spot you have for the brightest gold colour; shaded plants turn green and stretch. Use a gritty, free-draining mix and shallow or wide pots.
During the monsoon, move pots under cover or ensure excellent drainage to prevent root rot, as waterlogging is the main cause of failure in India. Cut back watering sharply in the rainy season.
In summer, water sparingly only when the soil dries out. Pinch stems through the growing season to keep the carpet dense, and propagate easily from the trimmings.
