Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Monday - June 28, 2010
From: Providence, RI
Region: Northeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Diseases and Disorders
Title: Non-native sedum 'Burrito' sunburned in Providence RI?
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have a sedum burrito that I keep outside and receives bright sun for around 6 hours a day. it looks like it's getting sunburned, the leaves are getting shriveled and browning on the tips. I've brought it inside, is there a way I can save it? Should I prune off the dead leaves? Thank you,ANSWER:
There are 18 members of the genus Sedum in our Native Plant Database, all referred to as stonecrops. We believe what you have is selection or species of stonecrop that is native to Mexico, Sedum burrito. It is out of our range of expertise, which is the growth, protection and propagation of plants native to North America. However, we think we can answer your question according to material on the native sedums.
The plant can be outside in bright light or filtered sunshine. If you have a good bright window that doesn't get direct sun, that is a good location. You may be over-watering as well. When you water, water thoroughly and don't do it again until the pot is fairly dry, say down about an inch into the soil - poke your finger in. Don't worry about fertilizer at this point, it could only complicate matters. Although we realize that the sun in Providence RI is probably not as fierce as it is here in Texas, we have found that sedums do better with only part sun, such as 2 to 6 hours, and can get along pretty well in less sun.
For more information, go to these articles from Home and Garden Publications, Sedums: beauty without the bother and Gardening Know How Planting Sedums-How to Grow Sedums.
Pictures of Sedum burrito from Google.
More Non-Natives Questions
New house plant in pot in Chevy Chase MD
May 07, 2010 - Is it possible for one house plant to eventually die in the pot while a completely different plant grows in its place? The new plant looks similar to the potted plant next to it but it is not quite t...
view the full question and answer
Why aren't the Caesalpinia species in the Native Plant Database
June 07, 2013 - Why doesn't the Wildflower Center list Caesalpinia in its plant database? I grow 3 species in my garden with no coddling: C. mexicana, C. gilliesii, and C. pulcherrima. I underst...
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant plants from New Braunfels TX
August 31, 2012 - I have a 1/2 yard covered by a tree, shady. Bermuda grass previous owner planted has all turned brown this summer. I don't have lots of money to work with but would love to landscape that side of fr...
view the full question and answer
Care of lemon cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa)
May 17, 2008 - How do I grow the lemon cypress in zone 7? I bought one today at Home Depot in Granbury,TX. It had no information. Should I put it in the shade or sun?
view the full question and answer
Need some help with a Plumbago plant in Mission, TX.
August 06, 2010 - Hello..I live in south South Texas and have a plumbago. It gets about 4 to 5 hours of direct sun and lately some of the branches and leaves turn bright green almost yellow. Am I over watering or is ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |