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Sempervivum Growing Guide

Header Sempervivum - Garden Express Australia

What is Sempervivum?

Sempervivum (Sempervivum spp.) also known as Hen and Chicks, Houseleek or Live Forever is a mat forming, evergreen, perennial succulent. It is part of the Crassulaceae or stonecrop family and is native to Europe and Asia. A genus of over 40 species that grow to form low growing attractive rosette like patterns. The leaves are thick and fleshy and form evergreen rosettes. The ends of the leaves can be pointy or rounded or covered with downy hair. They come in a wide variety of colours from light to dark green, brown, pink and purple. Their colours can also change throughout the seasons as they as sensitive to seasonal temperature changes and growing conditions. Sempervivum flower in Summer where most will produce small white or yellow flowers. Sempervivum get their name Hen and Chicks because the Hen is the large rosette, it will produce little pups or offsets around it (the chicks) When the large rosette flowers it will die and the smaller ones will grow up to take its place and continue the cycle.

Benefits of Growing Sempervivum

Sempervivum are very easy to grow and require little attention. They are ideal for rockeries, pots, green roofs, indoors, water wise gardens or hanging baskets.

How to Grow Sempervivum

Sempervivum Bing Cherry Garden - Garden Express Australia

Sempervivum Bing Cherry

Climatic Zones

Cool to mild tropical.

Plant Size

Sizes vary.

When To Plant Sempervivum

Plant anytime.

Soil Preparation

They need a well drained, gritty soil. When planting in pots use a specialist succulent potting mix.

How To Plant Sempervivum

Plant in full sun, plant at the depth the pot came in.

Sempervivum Plant Care

Water when soil is dry to touch. Let dry out between waterings. Water around – not into – the rosettes.

Apply a slow release fertiliser at the beginning of the growing season (Spring).

Carefully remove dead old leaves by pulling gently.

You can carefully remove and repot the pups that are produced.

Recommended Sempervivum Varieties

Sempervivum Appletini Garden - Garden Express Australia

Sempervivum Appletini

Sempervivum Cherry Berry - Garden Express Australia

Sempervivum Cherry Berry

Sempervivum Silver Suede - Garden Express Australia

Sempervivum Silver Suede