Do green roofs need maintenance?
A sedum green roof is designed to be low maintenance, not no maintenance. The beauty of sedum is its ability to thrive where other plants struggle. It copes with heat, wind and long dry spells, which makes it ideal for exposed rooftops. Even so, a few small checks through the year will help your sedum stay healthy and prevent weeds from settling in.
Sedum roofs need the right balance to flourish. Too much water, too much nutrition or too much soil will encourage weeds. Too little nutrition for the sedum will allow thin patches to appear. The aim is to keep the roof “lean and mean”, just as sedum grows naturally in rocky, harsh environments.
Following our simple green roof maintenance plan below will keep everything on track. Most tasks can be done in minutes and don’t require any specialist knowledge.
Your essential green roof maintenance plan that keeps things lush
Sedum roof maintenance is straightforward once you know what to look for. Sedum prefers lean, low-nutrient conditions and grows best when left alone, so the aim is to support it rather than manage it. These simple steps explain exactly how to maintain a sedum green roof with minimal effort.
Watering guidance
Sedum copes extremely well in dry conditions and rarely needs watering. Leave it to manage itself, even if it looks a little dry. Only think about watering if you reach roughly six weeks without rain, which is unusual in the UK. Overwatering is far more harmful than drought.
Keep conditions lean and mean
Sedum naturally grows in rock crevices and exposed locations where nutrients are limited. Your roof should mimic these tougher conditions. The substrate needs to hold enough water for the sedum, but not enough for weeds.
Feeding routine
Use Osmocote slow-release fertiliser once or twice a year. The ideal months are April or October, depending on how your roof looks. Feeding too often encourages overly lush growth that weakens and collapses.
Managing weeds
Weeds may appear from windblown seeds or visiting birds. This is completely normal. Remove them by hand as soon as you notice them. Weeds are more likely to settle in if the sedum is thin or underfed.
Repairing thin or bare patches
If you spot bare areas, give the whole roof a light feed. Take a few sedum cuttings from the healthier parts of the roof and sprinkle them over the patchy areas.
Still rooting around for answers?
If you want guidance, a second opinion, or help diagnosing a patchy area, our sedum roof growers are happy to take a look. Send us a photo, and we’ll advise.