Rosemary vs Sedum (Stonecrop)

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus

Lamiaceae · herbs

EdibleDeer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum spp.

Crassulaceae · groundcovers

EdibleDeer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Rosemary (Zones 7-10)

Sedum (Stonecrop) (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Rosemary	Sedum (Stonecrop)
Scientific Name	Salvia rosmarinus	Sedum spp.
Family	Lamiaceae	Crassulaceae
Category	herbs	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Well-drained, Poor
Height	4'	6"
Spread	3'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring	Summer
Bloom Color	Blue, Purple	Yellow, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean	Northern Hemisphere
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Rosemary

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Rosemary

✓Requires excellent drainage — root rot is the main killer.
✓Don't overwater.
✓Prune after flowering to maintain shape.
✓Can be trained as topiary or hedge.

Sedum (Stonecrop)

✓Needs very little water once established.
✓Thrives in poor soil.
✓Break off stems and press into soil to propagate.
✓Great for green roofs and rock walls.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Rosemary if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 7–10.

Choose Sedum (Stonecrop) if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View RosemaryProfile →View Sedum (Stonecrop)Profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Rosemary and Sedum (Stonecrop) grow in the same hardiness zone?

Rosemary grows in USDA zones 7-10, while Sedum (Stonecrop) grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Rosemary and Sedum (Stonecrop) have the same sun and water needs?

Rosemary needs full sun and low water, while Sedum (Stonecrop) needs full sun and low water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Rosemary or Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Rosemary grows taller at 4' compared to Sedum (Stonecrop) at 6". Rosemary spreads 3' while Sedum (Stonecrop) spreads 2'.

Are Rosemary and Sedum (Stonecrop) deer resistant?

Yes, both Rosemary and Sedum (Stonecrop) are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Rosemary or Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Both Rosemary and Sedum (Stonecrop) have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Rosemary	Sedum (Stonecrop)
Scientific Name	Salvia rosmarinus	Sedum spp.
Family	Lamiaceae	Crassulaceae
Category	herbs	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Well-drained, Poor
Height	4'	6"
Spread	3'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring	Summer
Bloom Color	Blue, Purple	Yellow, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean	Northern Hemisphere
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Rosemary

✓Requires excellent drainage — root rot is the main killer.
✓Don't overwater.
✓Prune after flowering to maintain shape.
✓Can be trained as topiary or hedge.

Sedum (Stonecrop)

✓Needs very little water once established.
✓Thrives in poor soil.
✓Break off stems and press into soil to propagate.
✓Great for green roofs and rock walls.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Rosemary if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 7–10.

Choose Sedum (Stonecrop) if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Rosemary and Sedum (Stonecrop) grow in the same hardiness zone?

Rosemary grows in USDA zones 7-10, while Sedum (Stonecrop) grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Rosemary and Sedum (Stonecrop) have the same sun and water needs?

Rosemary needs full sun and low water, while Sedum (Stonecrop) needs full sun and low water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Rosemary or Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Rosemary grows taller at 4' compared to Sedum (Stonecrop) at 6". Rosemary spreads 3' while Sedum (Stonecrop) spreads 2'.

Are Rosemary and Sedum (Stonecrop) deer resistant?

Yes, both Rosemary and Sedum (Stonecrop) are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Rosemary or Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Both Rosemary and Sedum (Stonecrop) have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.