Widowscross
Sedum pulchellum
Last reviewed: August 2026
Sedum pulchellum, or widowscross, is a low, mat-forming succulent that grows on rocky glades and thin, gravelly soils across the central and southern United States, blooming with small pink to white star-shaped flowers from May through July.
Toxicity unknown
Widowscross (Sedum pulchellum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–12" H × 4"–8" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AL, AR, GA, IL and 8 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Widowscross is a small native succulent that forms neat, low mounds of thick, fleshy leaves. It produces clusters of tiny pink or white flowers from May through July, creating a delicate carpet-like groundcover that stays green year-round.
Growing Widowscross
Grow Widowscross in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 4 to 8 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Widowscross is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The small flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and beneficial beetles during the summer blooming period. Its low-growing habit provides some ground-level habitat for small beneficial insects.
Common questions
- When does Sedum pulchellum bloom?
- Widowscross typically flowers from May through July, producing clusters of small pink to white star-shaped blooms atop low, fleshy rosettes.
- What pollinators visit Widowscross flowers?
- Bees, butterflies, and beetles are the most frequent visitors, attracted to the nectar produced by its small clustered flowers during summer bloom.
- How much water does Sedum pulchellum need?
- This succulent prefers low water and does well in dry, well-drained, rocky soils. Consistently wet conditions can lead to rot at the base.
- What light conditions does Widowscross prefer?
- Full sun brings out the tightest rosette growth and the fullest bloom, echoing the open, exposed rock outcrops and glades where it is often found.
- Is Sedum pulchellum an evergreen succulent?
- No. It behaves as an annual or biennial, dying back after flowering and often reseeding itself for the following growing season.
- Is Widowscross HOA-friendly?
- Widowscross is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Widowscross? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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