Dragon's Blood Creeping Stonecrop

About this plant

Dragon's Blood Creeping Stonecrop (Phedimus spurius) is a captivating perennial groundcover renowned for its dramatic foliage and robust nature. Its succulent leaves emerge with a greenish hue, quickly deepening to a rich, burgundy-red, especially when exposed to ample sunlight. This dynamic color provides a stunning contrast against paths, rocks, or other plantings, creating a living tapestry of vibrant color. In mid to late summer, a spectacular display of star-shaped, carmine-red flowers blankets the plant, attracting pollinators and adding another layer of visual appeal. Extremely drought-tolerant and adaptable, 'Dragon's Blood' thrives in challenging conditions where other plants might falter, making it an ideal choice for rock gardens, borders, containers, or erosion control on slopes. Easy to grow and requiring minimal care, this cultivar forms a dense, weed-suppressing mat that remains attractive through most of the year. Its vigorous yet controlled spread makes it a superb solution for covering bare spots or adding a splash of enduring color to any sunny landscape.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Extremely low maintenance. Requires well-draining soil and benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells, especially when establishing. No significant pruning is needed, but deadheading spent flowers can tidy its appearance. Divide every few years in spring to maintain vigor if desired.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.