The History of Sedums

Sedums are native to many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, North Africa, and portions of North America, including Mexico. There are over 400 species in total, although some members that were formerly part of the Sedum genus have recently been reclassified as members of Hylotelephium. The name Sedum comes from the Latin word sedo, meaning “to sit.” In the past, certain sedums were used for food or medicine, and while some cultivars are still used for these purposes today, caution is advised as not all varieties are safe for consumption. Sedums became known to collectors in the 1800s and first became popular as garden and greenhouse specimens in the early 1900s. Today, they are mostly used for decorative purposes and provide great groundcover, particularly in areas with poor soil and frequent droughts; some of the most popular varieties include the uniquely named Burro's Tail, Gold Chain, Bird's Bread, and Creeping Tom.