- Botanical name: Sempervivum arachnoideum
- Common name: Houseleek
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Plant Type: Alpine, Cactus or succulent, Perennial
Pink
Green
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
Sempervivums, sometimes called houseleeks or hens-and-chicks, are hardy, succulent plants that grow in the wild between rocks in mountainous regions. They look wonderful when grown in containers, in rock gardens, and in dry stone walls and cracks in paving, especially alongside low evergreen plants such as sedums. Although they look outstanding in winter when there’s little else of interest in the garden, sempervivums also look great in summer, when, tall, conical spikes of greenish pink flowers emerge from the centre of mature plants.
Often called the cobweb houseleek, Sempervivum arachnoideum is a dramatic-looking plant, bearing pale green rosettes covered with fine webbing, reminiscent of cobwebs. Small pink flowers are borne in early summer.
For best results, grow Sempervivum arachnoideum in full sun in well-drained soil, preferably in containers with added horticultural grit to aid drainage. Sempervivums don’t need feeding, but do benefit from being repotted each year into compost containing slow-release fertiliser. Propagate new plants by gently teasing out the small baby rosettes (chicks) which appear around the main plant (hen), and transplant to a new location.
How to grow Sempervivum arachnoideum
-
Plant size
10cm height
30cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do not Divide in March |
A
Do not Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do Divide in June |
J
Do Divide in July |
A
Do Divide in August |
S
Do Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Sempervivum arachnoideum and wildlife
Sempervivum arachnoideum has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Sempervivum arachnoideum poisonous?
Sempervivum arachnoideum has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Sempervivum arachnoideum
