What is the difference between Sedum rubrotinctum and Sedum rubrotinctum 'Aurora'?

Sedum rubrotinctum and Sedum rubrotinctum 'Aurora' are not only very similar in name but also very close in appearance, which has stumped quite a few plant lovers. Since the two rarely appear together, telling them apart still takes a certain amount of skill. Below are the differences summarized by experienced plant lovers, in the hope of helping plant lovers far and wide.

How to tell Sedum rubrotinctum and Sedum rubrotinctum 'Aurora' apart

Sedum rubrotinctum cv. 'Aurora', a variegated cultivar of Sedum rubrotinctum, has patterned leaves with a white powdery coating; when in its colored state it turns pink, and when not in its colored state it looks rather white because it has less chlorophyll.

Sedum rubrotinctum, when not in its colored state, is green with a glossy surface and no white powdery coating, and turns reddish-brown under conditions of ample sunlight.As long as you observe the outer appearance of the two carefully, they can still be told apart.

How to care for Sedum rubrotinctum and Sedum rubrotinctum 'Aurora'

Both like warmth and are not cold-tolerant; they like light and have fairly strong drought tolerance. They like an environment with an obvious temperature difference between day and night, and are quite adaptable to temperature, growing well between 10°C and 28°C; in autumn and winter, as the temperature drops and light intensifies, the fleshy leaves gradually turn red, so artificially lowering the temperature during cultivation can increase their ornamental value; they are highly adaptable and not demanding about soil.

In winter, the room temperature should not be lower than 5°C. Both like light, and throughout the growing period they should be given full light. However, exposure to strong sun in summer can cause sunburn on the leaves, so appropriate shading or half-day sun is fine, and direct harsh sunlight at noon should be avoided. For Sedum rubrotinctum in summer, be careful to keep good ventilation. They grow slowly and tolerate drought, so heavy fertilizer and heavy watering are not advisable; water when the soil is dry and water thoroughly, while in winter when the room temperature is lower, reduce the amount and frequency of watering. Sedum rubrotinctum generally begins to lose its shape after about 3 years of cultivation, so pruning should be done in advance.