Common Stonecrop
Sedum acre
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Pl. 556E — Sedum acre
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IOverview
Overview
Common Stonecrop (Sedum acre) is a low-growing perennial herb native to central and southern Europe, as well as parts of North Africa and Asia. This plant thrives in a variety of soil types, including light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay), and prefers a pH range of 6.5 to 7. It can be found across a wide range of regions, including Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, and many others, making it adaptable to diverse habitats. Common Stonecrop is known for its edible leaves, which have been traditionally used in European herbal medicine for digestive issues, often consumed as a tea. It may help alleviate minor stomach discomfort. Additionally, the plant has been used for minor skin irritations and wounds, with its anti-inflammatory properties making it suitable for topical application as a poultice or salve. This hardy perennial, which grows in zones 4-9, can spread up to 0.1 meters and thrives in full sun to partial shade. Its distinctive feature is its ability to grow in both dry and moist conditions, making it a versatile ground cover. Common Stonecrop can be propagated through leaf cuttings or division and is easy to cultivate in gardens and landscapes. Its light, airy form and medicinal properties make it a valuable addition to both culinary and herbal medicine practices.
Quick answers
What is Common Stonecrop?
Common Stonecrop (Sedum acre) is a low-growing perennial herb native to central and southern Europe, as well as parts of North Africa and Asia. This plant thrives in a variety of soil types, including light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay), and prefers a pH range of 6.
What is Common Stonecrop used for?
Traditionally used for digestion, topical & skin. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Common Stonecrop
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · traditional-use context
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · traditional-use contextTraditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
- Common Stonecrop has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine for digestive issues, often consumed as a tea. It may help alleviate minor stomach discomfort.
The plant contains compounds such as flavonoids and tannins which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects on the gastrointestinal tract. However, the specific mechanism is not fully characterised.
▲ ModerateDigestion → - Common Stonecrop has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine for minor skin irritations and wounds, often applied topically as a poultice or salve. Its anti-inflammatory properties may help soothe irritated skin.
The plant contains compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects. However, the specific mechanism is not fully characterised.
▲ ModerateTopical & skin →
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Common Stonecrop support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Common Stonecrop thrives in well-draining soils that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It prefers a pH range of 6.5 to 7 and is best suited for dry to moist conditions. This perennial plant requires full sun to partial shade and is hardy in zones 4-9. For propagation, gardeners can use leaf cuttings or division. Harvest the edible leaves throughout the growing season.
Light
8/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.1 m tall
Soil pH
6.5–7
For first-time growers
How to grow Common Stonecrop for the first time
8steps
Start with Common Stonecrop as a simple, low-maintenance perennial for your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
A small pot or planting area, seeds or young plants.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in autumn before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7, ensuring it's light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay).
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the ground or start them indoors and transplant young plants after danger of frost has passed.
- 5
First two weeks
Water sparingly to keep soil moist but not soggy, ensuring good drainage.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun exposure and minimal watering once established. Prune dead leaves as needed.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back any dead or damaged foliage to maintain the plant's health and appearance.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil without good drainage, neglecting to prune dead leaves.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: Condiment
Other uses:Ground cover
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
44 native · 51 introduced
Distribution
44 native · 51 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 44 native· 51 introduced
Europe27 regions
native (25)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
introduced (2)FranceRussia
Asia2 regions
native (1)Turkey
introduced (1)India
Americas1 region
native (1)Greenland
Africa4 regions
native (4)AlgeriaLibyaMoroccoTunisia
Broader regions
native:Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., Transcaucasus, Yugoslavia
introduced:Alabama, Alberta, Argentina South, British Columbia, Chile Central, Chile South, Colorado, Connecticut, Falkland Is., Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Tasmania, Tennessee, Turkey-in-Europe, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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