About

An evergreen perennial producing rosettes, averaging 2cm in diameter, made up of spirally arranged, fleshy, green leaves suffused dark red starting at the tip and spreading down the leaf as it ages. The flowers are pale green and sticky, produced in clusters on long, stout stems in 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 hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Cactus Succulent
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Patio and container plants

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
PruningCarefully remove spent rosettes after flowering
PropagationPropagate by rooting offsets in spring
Pest resistanceMay be damaged by sempervivum leaf miner, slugs and snails, and vine weevil larvae
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a rust