Sedum album ‘Black Pearl’ (Plug)

The leaves are tiny, fleshy, and bead-like, forming dense clumping and trailing clusters that spread over time. In full sun, the foliage shifts from greenish to near-black and dark burgundy tones, creating a jewel-toned carpet that contrasts sharply against pale gravel, stone, or neighboring green plants. It grows as a low, spreading mat perfect for tight spaces.

Small white to pale pink star-shaped flowers bloom in summer, held on upright stems above the dark foliage. These blooms attract pollinators and contain pollen, so those with plant allergies should keep this in mind. Cooler nighttime temperatures encourage more prolific flowering.

You can leave it up to ten days without water. Move it outside in summer or keep it outdoors well into autumn; it handles balcony wind and rain without trouble. Sedum ‘Black Pearl’ is pet-safe around cats and dogs. It works as a ground cover in rock gardens, on green roofs, spilling over container edges, and along outdoor borders. It tolerates dry heated indoor air, making it flexible for both indoor and outdoor growing.

Water it every 23 weeks during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings. In cooler months, reduce watering to once a month or less.

Sedum ‘Black Pearl’ does best in fast-draining cactus and succulent soil blended with coarse grit or perlite.

It handles temperatures down to around 14F, making it frost hardy for cold winters.

Sedum ‘Black Pearl’ grows at a moderate pace and requires only light feeding with balanced fertilizer once in spring.

It is hardy in USDA zones 49, tolerating winter lows around 14F with ease. It grows outdoors across the Pacific Northwest in Washington and Oregon, the Mountain West in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada, the Midwest in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota, and the Northeast in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. It performs well in the South and Mid-Atlantic across Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, plus the West Coast in California and interior states in Arizona and New Mexico.

Q: How often should I water Sedum album ‘Black Pearl’ (Plug)?
A: Water every 23 weeks during active growth, letting soil dry completely between waterings. In winter, once a month or less is enough.

Q: Does it stay small?
A: Sedum album ‘Black Pearl’ (Plug) spreads at a moderate pace, filling in as a dense, low carpet over one to two seasons rather than growing tall or aggressive.

Q: Is Sedum ‘Black Pearl’ pet friendly?
A: Yes, it is safe around cats and dogs.

Q: What light does it prefer?
A: Sedum ‘Black Pearl’ grows best with plenty of bright light; direct sun brings out the deepest black-burgundy leaf color. In low light it remains greenish and won’t develop the dark pigmentation.

Q: How cold can Sedum ‘Black Pearl’ handle?
A: It survives down to around 14F and performs across USDA zones 49.

Q: Can I propagate it from cuttings?
A: Yes, Sedum ‘Black Pearl’ roots readily from stem cuttings. Snip a healthy stem, let it callous for a day, then press it into dry succulent soil in bright light and warmth.