Hylotelephium telephium (synonym Sedum telephium), known as orpine, livelong, frog's-stomach, harping Johnny, life-everlasting, live-forever, midsummer-men, Orphan John and witch's moneybags, is a succulent perennial groundcover of the family Crassulaceae native to Eurasia. The flowers are held in dense heads and can be reddish or yellowish-white. A number of cultivars, often with purplish leaves, are grown in gardens as well as hybrids between this species and the related Hylotelephium spectabile (iceplant), especially the popular 'Herbstfreude' ('Autumn Joy'). Occasionally garden plants may escape and naturalise as has happened in parts of North America.
Garden stonecrop is a plant often found growing among rocks, gravel, and similar environments, which is why it is commonly referred to as stonecrop. This name highlights its remarkable ability to thrive on bare rocks or stones. Additionally, garden stonecrop is popular in gardens due to its highly ornamental flowers, which add beauty to any landscape.
Orpine has moderate resistance to disease but is more sensitive to humidity and excess watering. It becomes more prone to illness if kept in low light and overwatered. Regarding care, Orpine is drought-tolerant and can go long periods without water. It requires little fertilizer and only occasional pruning. This makes it appropriate for gardeners of any experience level, especially those who prefer to spend less time on plant care and who may be away from home for extended periods. It’s a good option for people who do not want to invest a lot of time in maintenance but still want an easy-to-care-for plant.
How to keep Hylotelephium Telephium.
Light
Orpine flourishes in full sun and also adapts well to locations with partial shade. It originally developed in areas that receive abundant sunlight. Insufficient light can impair its growth and development, while excessive exposure may cause sunscald.
Water
Orpine thrives in well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant, needing water only once every three weeks. It grows well outdoors and benefits from natural rainfall. As a deciduous plant, orpine efficiently stores water, enabling it to sustain itself during its dormant winter phase.
Temperature
Orpine is a temperate, woody plant that prefers a temperature range of 41 to 95 ℉ (5 to 35 ℃). Its native habitat features moderately cool temperatures and well-draining soils. To accommodate seasonal changes, make slight temperature adjustments between seasons.
Fertilizer
For Orpine, light applications of fertilizer once or twice a year during the growing season are enough. Do not fertilize in winter or summer when the plant is dormant. Cut back on fertilizer for repotted plants and wait a couple of months after repotting before you feed them. Fertilizing helps maintain healthy growth and promotes blooms.
Pruning
To maintain the shape of orpine, prune any redundant and dense branches in both the spring and autumn. Use a knife for this task and apply sulfur powder to the cuts to prevent infection. For propagation, cut stems with 5-6 leaves, treat the cut surfaces, and lightly moisten the soil to encourage successful rooting.
Pot & Repot
When repotting Orpine, choose a container slightly larger than the current one that provides good drainage. Use a gritty, well-draining succulent or cactus mix. Gently remove the plant from its old pot, brush off excess soil, and set it at the same depth. Wait a few days before watering to allow any root damage to heal. Repot in spring or fall and place it in a brightly lit location.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Succulent, Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Hylotelephium
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 5-9
- Mature Height
- 20 cm to 91 cm
- Mature Spread
- 30 cm to 49 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green, Gray
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Pink, Red
- Flower Size
- 1.02 cm
- Bloom Time
- Mid summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Mid summer, Late summer
- Native Area
- Europe, Asia
Other names.
Reader questions.
When Should I Water My Orpine?
Proper and timely watering is crucial for the health and development of orpine, influencing its growth, flower production, and disease resistance. To determine when to water the plant, check the soil's moisture level by inserting your finger about 1 to 2 inches into the soil near the plant's base; if it feels dry, it's time to water. Signs such as wilting leaves, darkening or yellowing of leaves, cracked soil, stunted growth, wilting in the late afternoon, bud drop, and the effects of high temperature and sun exposure all indicate the need for watering. Be mindful of early and late watering risks, such as root rot from too much water and stunted growth from too little. Understanding these signs will help manage the watering schedule effectively, promoting the plant's health and vitality.
Why should I put fertilizer on my Orpine?
Fertilizing Orpine is important for providing nutrients to the growing medium. While it does store water and nutrients, applying plant food during the growing season helps promote healthy growth. Additionally, fertilizing can stimulate mature specimens to produce blooms in the growing season.
What are the sunlight requirements for orpine?
Orpine requires full exposure to the sun, thriving best with over 6 hours of sunlight a day, but it can also adapt to partially shaded areas that receive about 3-6 hours of sunlight. Observing how sunlight moves through your garden is crucial to pick spots offering the right balance of light and shade, ensuring your plants' health and happiness.
What is the ideal temperature range for growing Orpine?
Orpine thrives in a temperature range of 41 to 95°F (5 to 35°C), favoring moderately cool temperatures with well-draining soils. This temperate woody plant is heat-loving and tends to enter a dormant state during the winter. To ensure its health through different seasons, slight temperature adjustments are recommended. Especially when temperatures drop below -20°C, Orpine should be moved indoors, preferably near a south-facing window to maximize sunlight exposure. Supplemental lighting can be used if natural light is insufficient. Care should be taken to reduce or stop watering when temperatures fall below 5°C to prevent root rot, and outdoor watering should cease in low temperatures. For additional protection, consider setting up a temporary greenhouse or wrapping the plant with insulating materials.
How Should I Water My Orpine?
Watering orpine effectively involves specific techniques and sensitivities. Bottom-watering, where the plant pot is placed in a tray of water allowing the roots to absorb moisture from the bottom, is highly effective. This method prevents over-saturation of the surface soil and minimizes the risk of fungal diseases by keeping foliage dry. If using a watering can, opt for one with a narrow spout to direct water straight to the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves. These methods ensure the orpine receives adequate hydration without the negative consequences of excess moisture.
When should I fertilize my Orpine?
Orpine plants require a light dose of fertilizer during their growing season, which should be applied 1-2 times a year. It is recommended to fertilize in the spring and autumn, avoiding winter and summer when the plant is dormant. When repotting, be cautious of using too much fertilizer and consider waiting a few months before applying any.
How does insufficient sunlight affect orpine growth?
Lack of sufficient sunlight can harm orpine's growth and development, leading to symptoms such as lighter-colored new leaves, leggy or sparse growth, faster leaf drop, chlorosis, sunscald, leaf curling, wilting, and leaf scorching. These conditions suggest deficiencies in chlorophyll and essential nutrients, structural weakness, and issues with photosynthesis.
How does Orpine react to low temperatures, and how can I protect it?
Orpine prefers high temperatures and is not tolerant of low temperatures, thriving best above 5°C. During the winter, it should be kept in conditions warmer than -20°C. Exposure to temperatures below -25°C can weaken the plant, causing it to wilt and be prone to root rot. If there is mild frost damage, symptoms might not appear immediately but can lead to gradual withering a week after exposure. To address frost damage, trim off the frostbitten areas and check for root rot. If roots are rotted, trim them off and propagate the plant through cuttings. Immediately move the plant to a warm indoor environment with ample sunlight, such as near a south-facing window, and use supplemental lighting if necessary.
How Much Water Does Orpine Really Need?
Orpine, adapted to diverse habitats, has deep roots catering to its watering needs based on various factors such as pot size, root depth, and plant size. Generally, orpine should be watered thoroughly but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Approximately 1-2 inches of water every 2-3 weeks is recommended, ensuring deep soil penetration. For potted plants, 1-2 cups per plant might suffice. Proper hydration is indicated by firm, plump leaves, while signs of under or over-watering include wilting, drooping, or yellowing leaves. Orpine is resilient, tolerating some drought, but benefits from well-draining soil and morning or early afternoon watering to avoid waterlogged conditions and ensure healthy growth.
When should I not add fertilizer to my Orpine?
Orpine, like most plants, goes through a dormancy period. During this time, it is best to avoid applying fertilizer. The plant stops growing both in the summer and winter, so fertilizer should be discontinued then. It's also recommended to hold off on fertilizing for the first few months after repotting in the spring.
Can orpine be grown with artificial lighting?
Yes, orpine can grow under artificial lighting, especially when natural sunlight is insufficient. Indoor plants require adequate lighting for optimal growth, with LED lights being a popular choice because they can mimic the specific wavelengths needed by plants. Full sun plants need 30-50W/sq ft, partial sun plants 20-30W/sq ft, and full shade plants 10-20W/sq ft of artificial light. The light source should be placed 12-36 inches above the plant for 8-12 hours per day to mimic natural daylight hours.
How should I care for Orpine during high temperatures?
During summer, it's crucial to keep Orpine's temperature below 35°C. If temperatures exceed 38°C, the plant will stop growing, lose water, wilt, and is at higher risk of sunburn. To manage this, first remove any sunburned or rotten parts of the plant. Then, protect the plant from direct afternoon sunlight until it recovers and resumes growth. If the plant experiences root rot, halt watering until new roots develop. These steps will help minimize the stress on Orpine during high-temperature periods and encourage healthy growth.
