Witch’s Moneybags: A Quirky Succulent for Your Garden
Looking for a plant with a name that sounds like it belongs in a fairy tale? Meet witch’s moneybags (Hylotelephium telephium fabaria), a charming succulent that might just cast a spell on your garden. While its whimsical common name suggests magical properties, this hardy perennial is more about practical garden magic than actual sorcery.
What Exactly is Witch’s Moneybags?
Witch’s moneybags is a perennial forb – essentially a non-woody plant that comes back year after year. You might also see it listed under its former scientific names, including Sedum fabaria or Sedum telephium subspecies fabaria, as botanists have been shuffling the paperwork on this plant’s classification.
This succulent belongs to the stonecrop family and displays the classic characteristics you’d expect: fleshy, water-storing leaves and clusters of small, star-shaped flowers that pollinators find irresistible.
Where Does It Come From?
Here’s where things get interesting from a native gardening perspective. Witch’s moneybags isn’t actually native to North America – it’s a European transplant that has made itself at home in parts of the United States. Currently, it’s been documented growing wild in Connecticut, though it may be present in other areas as well.
As a non-native species that reproduces on its own in the wild, it’s what we call naturalized. The good news? It’s not currently listed as invasive or noxious, so you won’t be contributing to ecological mayhem by growing it.
Should You Grow Witch’s Moneybags?
The decision comes down to your gardening philosophy and goals. This plant offers several appealing qualities:
- Low maintenance and drought tolerant
- Attractive succulent foliage adds texture to garden beds
- Flowers provide nectar for pollinators
- Hardy perennial that returns each year
- Interesting conversation starter with that memorable name
However, if you’re committed to native-only gardening, you might want to consider native alternatives like wild stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) or other native sedums that provide similar aesthetic appeal while supporting local ecosystems.
Growing Witch’s Moneybags Successfully
If you decide to give witch’s moneybags a try, you’ll find it’s refreshingly uncomplicated. Like most succulents, it thrives on a bit of neglect rather than constant fussing.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Plant witch’s moneybags in:
- Well-draining soil (this is non-negotiable for succulents)
- Full sun to partial shade locations
- Areas where it can spread naturally without overcrowding other plants
The plant is likely hardy in USDA zones 3-9, making it suitable for most temperate regions of the United States.
Care Tips
Once established, witch’s moneybags is remarkably self-sufficient:
- Water sparingly – only during extended dry periods
- Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot
- Deadhead spent flowers if you prefer a tidier appearance
- Divide clumps every few years if they become overcrowded
- Provide good air circulation to prevent fungal issues
Garden Design Ideas
Witch’s moneybags works well in:
- Rock gardens where its succulent nature shines
- Drought-tolerant landscape designs
- Border plantings where it can naturalize
- Container gardens (with excellent drainage)
The Bottom Line
Witch’s moneybags offers an easy-care option for gardeners who appreciate succulents and don’t mind non-native plants. While it won’t provide the same ecological benefits as native alternatives, it’s not causing environmental harm either. If you’re drawn to its quirky name and low-maintenance nature, it could be a fun addition to your garden – just remember to give it the well-draining conditions it craves, and maybe consider pairing it with some native companions to create a more ecologically diverse landscape.
After all, there’s room in most gardens for a little magic, even if it comes from across the pond.
