About

A mat-forming, evergreen perennial, to 12cm tall, comprising very small rosettes, up to 1cm in diameter, of oval, fleshy green leaves tipped with red and covered in a web of white hairs. Mature rosettes can form a stem with a terminal cluster of pink flowers in the summer.

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 typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Cactus Succulent
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Gravel garden, Rock garden
Native toEuropean mountains

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moderately fertile gritty soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Suitable for rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough or alpine house
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by rooting offsets in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil and sempervivum leaf miner
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a rust