# Pale Stonecrop (*Petrosedum sediforme*)

Pale Stonecrop is a cheerful little plant that grows in rocky places. Its bright green leaves can turn a lovely red color in the sun, making it a pretty sight to see!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Rocky areas

![Pale Stonecrop](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Gr97SedumSediforme.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Ziegler175, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gr97SedumSediforme.jpg)

## Appearance

The Pale Stonecrop is a low-growing succulent plant with thick, cylindrical, pale grey-green leaves often tinged with red. Its star-shaped flowers are a soft yellow or greenish-yellow, standing out against its fleshy foliage, forming dense mats.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Saxifragales
- **Family:** Crassulaceae
- **Genus:** Petrosedum

## Interesting facts

- It's sometimes called 'Stone Orpine' because it loves growing on bare rocks!
- Pale Stonecrop can grow from tiny leaf pieces, making it a great survivor!
- This plant can thrive on green rooftops, helping keep buildings cool!
- When very dry or cold, its pale leaves can blush reddish-pink, like a plant chameleon!

## Special abilities

- **Water Sponge:** Pale Stonecrop has fleshy leaves that act like tiny sponges, storing water to help it survive long, dry periods without rain.
- **Rock Gripper:** Pale Stonecrop can grow directly on rocks and walls, using its tough roots to find tiny cracks and anchor itself securely.
- **Sun Shield:** Pale Stonecrop has a waxy coating on its leaves, which acts like natural sunscreen, protecting it from intense sunlight and heat.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-30 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late Spring to Mid-Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honeybee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar from its yellow flowers.
- **Eaten by:** [Garden Snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Garden snails sometimes graze on its succulent leaves.
- **Eaten by:** Stonecrop Aphid (*Aphis sedi*) — This specific aphid species feeds on stonecrop plants.

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [Succulent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/succulent): Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates.
- [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always wash your hands after touching plants, just to be safe!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Pale Stonecrop?

Compare leaf arrangement, rosette shape, ribs, spines and flowers. Keep in mind that drought and strong sun can shift a plant's color and shape. Succulent Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Pale Stonecrop?

10-30 cm

### How wide does Pale Stonecrop spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Pale Stonecrop?

0.5-1 cm

### When does Pale Stonecrop bloom?

Late Spring to Mid-Summer

### Is Pale Stonecrop edible?

Yes

### Is Pale Stonecrop toxic?

None

### What is Pale Stonecrop's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Cabrera Archipelago National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrera-archipelago-national-park) — Spain, ES · National Park
- [Barrancos de Gebas Protected Landscape](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrancos-de-gebas-protected-landscape) — Mainland, ES · Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Pale Stonecrop: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pale-stonecrop)