Green seed roof on a wooden building

The benefits of sedum roof trays

Choosing sedum roof trays gives you much more than easy installation. A modular green roof system creates a natural layer of insulation that helps reduce heat loss in winter and keeps surfaces cooler in summer. 

By shielding the waterproofing beneath, a sedum roof can also extend the lifespan of flat roofs, making it a practical upgrade as well as an aesthetic one.

Sedum roof plants bring life to rooftops that would otherwise stay grey. Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are naturally drawn to sedum flowers, turning homes and sheds into small but meaningful habitats. 

The trays also help manage rainwater, slowing it down and reducing runoff during heavy downpours.

For anyone looking to create a green living roof that’s simple, lightweight and low-maintenance, modular sedum roof trays offer the perfect balance of practicality and beauty.

FAQs about our sedum roof trays

A sedum roof is a type of green roof that uses hardy, drought-tolerant sedum plants to create a lightweight living layer on top of a building. 

Sedum thrives in thin substrates, making it ideal for sheds, extensions, garages and flat roofs.

If you’re wondering how to lay a sedum roof, this tray system makes it straightforward. Roll out underlay if needed, position each tray and click them together. Cut modules to size where required. The result is an instant living green roof with minimal effort.

Each tray acts as a complete green roof system. It contains a drainage layer, water reservoir, substrate and fully grown sedum. 

Once installed, the modules settle together to form a continuous sedum roof surface.

Sedum roofs are not designed for regular foot traffic. Light access for maintenance is fine, but avoid walking across the roof unnecessarily to protect the plants and structure.

With light maintenance, a sedum roof can last many years. The plants are resilient, and the system protects the waterproofing beneath, often extending the life of the roof.

Here at Greenrooftops, we’re passionate about sedum because, quite simply, it's the best plant for a green roof. 

Few plants cope with rooftop conditions the way sedum does. It’s one of the most drought-resistant species you can find, which means you do not need an irrigation system in the UK climate. Its shallow root system also allows for a thin layer of substrate, keeping the overall weight of a sedum roof far lower than wildflower or grass-based systems.

Maintenance stays minimal, too. Sedum largely looks after itself, usually needing just a light sprinkle of slow-release fertiliser once or twice a year. A sedum roof with a thin substrate naturally dries out in summer, which discourages weeds. If any do appear, the best approach is simply to pull them out by hand, as no weedkiller can be used with sedum.

These qualities make sedum the most reliable, lightweight and low-maintenance option for green roofs. At Greenrooftops, we grow our sedum from seed to create a richer mix of sixteen varieties, giving every tray more colour, character and natural resilience than cutting-grown alternatives. Visit our about us page

There are many trays on the market, some of which look similar, but the detail makes all the difference. The volume of the tray is one of the most important factors because it determines how much growing media is available. Too little substrate and the sedum will not flourish. Too much and you create conditions where weeds can thrive. 

Sedum is shallow-rooting, so it doesn’t need a deep substrate layer despite what some sources suggest.

Our tray is 80mm deep and contains a substrate made from 50% inorganic content, meeting the requirements of the GRO Code. 

It holds two distinct layers: a drainage and filtration layer made from lightweight aggregate, topped with our specially developed compost. The base includes a small water reservoir along with filter slits that drain away excess water, allowing the sedum to stay healthy in all weather.

The tray walls are reinforced with a strong lip that clicks securely to the next module, keeping the structure stable once installed. This design gives you the right balance of weight, water retention, drainage and ease of installation, making the Greenrooftops tray a reliable choice for creating a long-lasting sedum roof.

We supply both systems and grow every component ourselves, but the two approaches work quite differently. A sedum tray gives you a lighter, cleaner and more controlled buildup. Each tray is mechanically filled in two layers, starting with drainage and finishing with substrate, so the composition is consistent and accurate every time.

Installation is extremely simple. You lift the trays off the pallet, set them on the roof and click them together. That is all you need to do. No specialist knowledge. No complicated build-up. No guesswork.

A blanket based system takes more effort. You must install a drainage layer, rake out loose compost and then lay the sedum blanket on top. You also need a method to stop the compost from washing into gutters and blocking drains. The work is heavier, too. Rolls of sedum blanket can weigh more than 50kg, making them difficult to move around a roof.

By comparison, a Greenrooftops tray weighs around 12kg and clicks neatly into place, which is why many people prefer the tray system for both ease and reliability.