About

A small, mat-forming, evergreen perennial, to 15cm tall, with medium-sized rosettes of hairy leaves; each rosette up to 2.5cm in diameter. Leaves are a pale green with a deep maroon flush in spring and early summer before turning back to green in late summer. Pale pink flowers are borne on 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
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

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 usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Rock garden

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