About

In summer it produces tall flowerspike bearing starry pink flowers. A mat-forming evergreen succulent with rosettes of fleshy, bright red leaves. The rosettes die after flowering but are replaced by offsets on lateral runners.

About the genus

Sempervivum are evergreen perennials forming mats of fleshy-leaved rosettes, often attractively coloured, with star-shaped pink or pale yellow flowers in summer

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Cactus Succulent
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Houseplants, Patio and container plants, Rock garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Suitable for rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough or alpine house. See hardy cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by removal of offsets in spring and early summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil larvae
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to rust diseases