Jelly-Bean Plant

Shirley writes~ I am looking for info on a plant, Hawaiian Jelly Belly. I have them planted outside--I'm in zone 8B, and they are both healthy, but will they survive the winter outside or do I dig them up and put them in the greenhouse? The nursery I bought them from has closed.

A. Hawaiian Jelly Belly produces no such name for a plant. I would guess that the plant in question is a Sedum pachyphyllum or a Sedum rubrotinctum, commonly called Jelly-bean plant. Direct sunlight is the factor that controls the amount of redness. If you keep it out of direct sun, then it will stay green.. In indirect light it will grow more slowly and will use a bit less water, otherwise it will not affect the plant.

The unique colors look great on their own or with other plants in patio pots, window boxes, color bowls and baskets. In well-drained garden locations, jelly bean mimulus bloom until frost. They will not survive outside in a cold climate where frost and snow are occurring. Please dig them up and keep in shallow pots with a mixed sand medium until all danger of frost has passed.

There are lots of other Sedum plants, most of which will stay green even in direct sunlight.

S. pachyphyllum has light green with a powdery coating.
S. rubrotinctum has shiny darker green leaves.

Once established, grow at:
- 60–75 degrees + F/15–24 degrees C day temperatures
- 50–55 degrees F/10–13 degrees C night temperatures

Low temperatures result in compact growth