Mystery beautiful-sedum eater - Ask Extension
A friend gifted me this beautiful variety of sedum (very beautiful colors in it). For the past few years, it has been decimated by something eating i...
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Mystery beautiful-sedum eater #937046
Asked June 28, 2026, 9:30 AM EDT
A friend gifted me this beautiful variety of sedum (very beautiful colors in it). For the past few years, it has been decimated by something eating its leaves. We have a bird bath near by, so there is water for birds. We have another variety of sedum right next to it (in the garden, not in a pot), and that is not touched by the mystery sedum-eater. This year, it was all eaten before it could even grow, so I cut it all off. However, that did not work. As soon as it grew back, the leaves got eaten. Before I give up on it, I thought I'd ask for your advice.
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
We can't tell what the chewing culprit was, as birds (even with a water source available), slugs/snails, caterpillars, beetles, earwigs, grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets can all chew plant parts, especially overnight when they are not noticed. Covering the plant with insect mesh netting or window screening should exclude most of those culprits and help the plant regrow without further damage.
Miri
Miri
