About
A mat-forming evergreen succulent, producing rosettes of fleshy green leaves with pointed tips. Outer leaves flush bright orange-red in spring and summer. Tall spikes of starry pink flowers are produced from mature rosettes in summer; these die off after flowering and are replaced by new offsets.
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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
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 poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in full sun. In pots use a 50:50 mix of peat-free, loam-based potting compost and grit. Protect from excessive winter wet. See hardy cacti and succulent cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by rooting offsets in spring and early summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil larvae and sempervivum leaf miner
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to rust diseases