Sempervivum
Sempervivum tectorum and hybrids
Sempervivums are small, hardy succulents that form tight rosettes and spread by producing many offsets. They survive frost and drought and are ideal for rock gardens, walls, roofs and shallow pots.
Photo: Malene (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun
Watering
Low
Water only when the soil is completely dry.
Soil
Gritty, very well-drained soil; pH 6.0–7.5.
Temperature and humidity
-30–35 °C · Low humidity
Feeding
No feeding needed.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by offsets
Remove rosettes that die after flowering.
Sempervivums are not toxic.
Top Cultivation Tips
Pot up offsets ("chicks") to make new plants.
Very hardy; struggles more with humid heat than cold.
Colour deepens in full sun and cold.
Grow in strawberry pots and troughs.
Common problems
Mealybugs
White, cottony insects that hide in leaf joints and under leaves, weakening plants and spreading easily to neighbours.
How to treat it →DiseaseRoot rot
Roots decay in waterlogged soil, so the plant wilts and yellows even though the soil is wet.
How to treat it →PestVine weevil
Adult beetles notch leaf edges at night, while their soil-dwelling grubs eat roots, often killing container plants before you notice.
How to treat it →
