Sempervivum Species, Hen-and-Chickens, Houseleek, Old Man & Woman, Roof House Leek

Sempervivumarachnoideum

Family
Crassulaceae (krass-yoo-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Sempervivum (sem-per-VEE-vum)
Species
arachnoideum (a-rak-NOY-dee-um)
Synonym
Sempervivum doellianum
Sempervivum heterotrichum
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Succulent
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Pink
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Bronze
Burgundy/Maroon
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Seward, Alaska

Carmichael, California

Clayton, California

Fremont, California

Lakeside, California

Norwalk, California

Perris, California

San Diego, California

San Leandro, California

Susanville, California

Vacaville, California

Vista, California

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Cleveland, Georgia

Hampton, Illinois

Parsons, Kansas

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

South Berwick, Maine

Dracut, Massachusetts

Scottville, Michigan

Neptune, New Jersey

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Mooresville, North Carolina

Cleveland, Ohio

Farmdale, Ohio

Glouster, Ohio

Ashland, Oregon

Gold Hill, Oregon

Klamath Falls, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Millersburg, Pennsylvania

Watsontown, Pennsylvania

El Paso, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

South Jordan, Utah

Puyallup, Washington

White Center, Washington

Neenah, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

8
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
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J
Lakeside, CA | March 2014 | positive

Very tough little plant. Great grower. A great addition to your collection.

I first got this plant in a 1 inch pot with t...Read More

A
Susanville, CA | December 2010 | positive

very easy plant to grow in sun or shade, it can be very small sometimes and grow between rocks and is small enough for almost any container garden

T
| September 2010 | positive

Greetings...I have these and their flowers are unique and lovely...but our lot gets too hot for these beauties to stay in full sun. I ke...Read More

L
Portland, OR (Zone 8b) | June 2009 | positive

I have Sempervivum Hens and Chicks 'Frosty'. They are small, green, tight clusters, like little pin cushions, and covered with fine cobwe...Read More

E
Ashland, OR | July 2006 | positive

After several years in a small pot, my plant burst into bloom and looks quite like a tiny Gaudi cathedral!

J
Scottville, MI (Zone 4b) | June 2004 | neutral

Just did some more research and my picture of the one with reddish leaves may be cultivar "Cebenese"

W
Puyallup, WA (Zone 5a) | November 2003 | positive

Edgewood, Washington
The "cobweb" hen & chick if blooming in red is sempervivum arachnoideum rubrum. I have charished this intere...Read More

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | September 2003 | neutral

Some commercial sources sell this plant as Sempervivum arachnoidem cv. 'Cobweb' although there is little supporting evidence for i...Read More

P
P
(Zone 9a) | August 2003 | positive

Always an interesting plant and easy to grow but resents winter wet. The 'cobweb' catches and holds the rain so that rot is likely to set in.

H
Northern California, CA | August 2003 | positive

This variety has rosettes of all basically the same size, as opposed to the "moms & babies" generally seen. After bloom the rosette dies...Read More

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