Sedum makinoi 'Tornado' in Kokodama

Cultivated form and natural range of Sedum makinoi 'Tornado' in Kokodama

'Tornado' is a named form of Sedum makinoi, a plant native to temperate East Asia.

Kokodama was founded in 2014, and its coconut-fibre planters are handmade in Sri Lanka.

Looking after Sedum makinoi 'Tornado' in Kokodama

• Light: Place the Kokodama in full sun or strong direct light, around 40,000–80,000 lux, and turn it occasionally for even growth around the planter.
• Temperature: Avoid prolonged temperatures below 5 °C. Stable indoor temperatures around 15–25 °C suit the planted display.
• Humidity: Aim for 40–50% humidity. Typical household humidity is fine for this Sedum. Gentle airflow helps the small amount of compost dry between waterings.
• Water: Wait until the compost has dried well. Add water slowly until the compost inside the cup is moist throughout.
• Inner cup: The paper cup is waterproof, so add modest amounts and stop once the compost is evenly damp.
• Potting mix: Keep the compost loose and free draining, refreshing it if it becomes compacted or slow to dry.
• Feeding: During active growth, use half-strength liquid feed roughly every four weeks.
• Growth management: Shorten long shoots just above healthy leaves when you want a fuller shape.
• Repotting: Transfer the plant once roots have filled the inner cup and need more room.
• Propagation: Healthy cut stem pieces can be rooted separately in fresh gritty mix.

Problems in Sedum makinoi 'Tornado' Kokodama

• The stem bases soften while the cup remains damp: Moisture is lingering too long inside the small inner cup. Pause watering and let it dry. With a clean, disinfected blade, remove any rotten parts back to firm healthy tissue.
• The leaves wrinkle in dry compost: Add water slowly until the compost inside the cup is evenly moist.
• Shoots become loose and stretched: The Kokodama needs brighter light. Move it closer to a filtered window and turn the planter regularly.
• White fluffy patches collect among the stems: Mealybugs may be hiding in the dense foliage. Set the Kokodama apart and use a mealybug control, repeating applications as the label directs.
• The Sedum weakens while its leaves still look plump: Vine weevil larvae may be feeding on the roots. Inspect the pot for cream-coloured larvae. If they are present, choose a vine-weevil treatment and follow the label; a biological treatment is another option.

Keep Sedum makinoi ‘Tornado’ in Kokodama away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

How the name Sedum makinoi came about

Sedum is the classical Latin name for stonecrops. The epithet makinoi commemorates the Japanese botanist Tomitaro Makino.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Sedum in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 430.

Carl Johann Maximowicz first described Sedum makinoi in 1888 in Bulletin de l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg, series 3, volume 32, page 487.