Overview
Sempervivum 'Bitter Chocolate' is a matforming, rosette-forming alpine rockery in the genus Sempervivum, part of the Crassulaceae family, with evergreen, fleshy, pointed leaves, green, grey, red foliage. Sempervivum 'Bitter Chocolate' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough and alpine house.
About
Sempervivum 'Bitter Chocolate' is a cultivar of the Sempervivum genus, known for its matforming habit and evergreen, fleshy rosettes. As a succulent alpine plant, it thrives in full sun and well-drained, gritty soils, tolerating a range of soil types and pH levels. This cultivar is hardy to UK zone H5 and is suitable for rock gardens, scree beds, wall crevices, troughs, and alpine houses. It maintains its attractive foliage throughout the year and can be propagated by offsets in spring.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Sempervivum
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Sempervivum 'Bitter Chocolate' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Alpine Rockery, Cactus Succulent
- Habit
- Matforming, Rosette-forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen, Fleshy, Pointed leaves, Green, Grey, Red
- Suggested uses
- Rock garden, Scree bed, Wall crevice, Trough, Alpine house
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Sempervivum 'Bitter Chocolate'
- Propagation
- Offsets in spring
- Pest resistance
- Vine weevil, Sempervivum leaf miner, Slugs, Snails
- Disease resistance
- Rust
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Sempervivum 'Bitter Chocolate'?
Sempervivum 'Bitter Chocolate' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Sempervivum 'Bitter Chocolate' need?
Sempervivum 'Bitter Chocolate' grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Sempervivum 'Bitter Chocolate' hardy in the UK?
Sempervivum 'Bitter Chocolate' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Sempervivum 'Bitter Chocolate'?
Offsets in spring.
More in the Sempervivum genus
- Sempervivum 'Black'
- Sempervivum arachnoideum 'Red Papaver'
- Sempervivum arachnoideum subsp. tomentosum 'Minor'
- Sempervivum borissovae
- Sempervivum calcareum 'Benz'
- Sempervivum marmoreum 'Brunneifolium'
- Sempervivum tectorum 'Red Flush'
- Sempervivum 'Bellotts Pourpre'