Sempervivum, also known as houseleek or liveforever, is a succulent plant in the family Crassulaceae. The plant is native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Sempervivum is a rosette-forming perennial plant with thick, fleshy leaves and a short stem. The leaves are often arranged in a rosette and are green, red, or purple in color. The flowers are small and white or pink in color.
Is it easy to grow Sempervivum plant? Eventually, every gardener reaches a point where they want a plant that is easy to grow and almost maintenance-free. Sempervivum, also known as houseleeks, are a type of succulent that fit this description perfectly. These plants are very tolerant of neglect and can thrive in a wide range of conditions, making them ideal for busy gardeners or those new to plant care. Sempervivum are also very easy to propagate, so you can quickly build up a collection of these lovely plants.
How big can it be? known that they can reach 18 cm in diameter. But, depending on the type of rosette. Some are small and some are large.
How fast is the growth? Unless the rosette dies back, the number of rosettes in a pot increases steadily as the year goes by, as each rosette sends out new leaves (and sometimes offsets). The new leaves are produced at the outlet, the space between the leaves and the edge of the rosette.
| Plant Form | Succulent |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Origin | Distribution area Europe, the Caucasus, Southeast Asia. |
How long is the lifespan? Sometimes, the Sempervivum plant will live for many years, even if the leaf rosette dies after flowering. In these cases, it is possible to continue cultivating the plant.
What is the ideal temperature? When taking care of Sempervivum, it is important to know that in the summer the room temperature should not rise above 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit, while in winter it should be kept at 53.6-59 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant is also known to be able to withstand short-term temperature decreases to 41 degrees Fahrenheit, but the leaves are known to be sensitive to cold air.
What about the humidity? The reason you don't have to worry about spraying your Sempervivum is that they don't like a lot of water. In fact, too much water can actually kill them. However, it is still a good idea to wipe their leaves down every now and then with a damp cloth. This will help to avoid any damage that might be caused by pests.
What amount of light this plant needed? If you have a bright sun in the winter, it's best to have the windows of the south and south-east orientation. In the summer you need a small pritenenie.
What is good soil for Sempervivum? Common ly known as Sempervivum tectorum, this plant is a succulent that is part of the Crassulaceae family. The plant is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe. It is a drought-tolerant plant that can store water in its leaves and roots. The plant gets its common name, "houseleek," from the fact that it was often grown on the roofs of houses to help protect them from fire. The plant is also known as "live-forever" because of its long life span. Sempervivum tectorum is a low-growing plant that forms rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are green with red tips and are arranged in a spiral pattern. The plant produces small, yellow flowers in the summer. Sempervivum tectorum is a hardy plant that can tolerate cold winters and hot summers. It can grow in full sun or partial shade. The plant prefers well-drained soil and should be watered sparingly.
How much I must water Sempervivum? Eventually, the top layer of soil should dry to a depth of 2.5 to 5 cm. If water is accumulating in the base of the leaves, it can cause the plant to rot, so be sure to drain any excess water from the pan.
About fertilizer. Sometimes, people over-fertilize their Sempervivum plants, which can damage the tender root systems of the plant. The best way to fertilize Sempervivum is to do it once a month in early spring, using a half-dose of liquid fertilizer. This will give your plant the nutrients it needs without harming its delicate roots.
How to reproduce Sempervivum? The Sempervivum can be propagated by the branch of a branch outlet, which is easily rooted in the soil mixture. It can also be propagated by seeds, which are sown in February in a mixture of leaf land and sand. Fresh seeds germinate easily after 2-6 weeks. Once the shoots appear, they should be exposed to light.
Why Sempervivum won't bloom? Eventually, the flowers of Sempervivum plants will bloom. The blooms are typically yellow, pink, white, purple, or red, and they last for 2-3 weeks.
How much I must water Sempervivum? So, the plant will have enough space to grow and develop a strong root system. Also, the plant will be better able to withstand the summer heat if it is transplanted in the spring.
How to care the plant? Eventually, every gardener faces the problem of pests. Most often, these are spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, thrips. To prevent the appearance of pests, it is useful to spray the juvenile soap solution. To do this, you can dilute 2 tbsp. soap in 1 liter of water (you can add 1 teaspoon grated garlic or 1 tsp spicy hot pepper sauce) and sprinkle once a 2 weeks.
What is the challenge when caring Sempervivum plant? Although the plant is very resistant to pests, sometimes spider mites, mealy mullet, aphids may appear. The base of the rosette was young, rotting with excessive watering. The appearance of yellow and brown spots on the leaves can be caused by fungal diseases. If the leaves of the rosette begin to soften, turn yellow and rot from the middle this is the result of stagnation of moisture in the middle of the rosette (healthy parts of the plant can be used on the cuttings).
Are Sempervivum poisonous? Since Sempervivum is a plant that is native to Europe, it is not surprising that it is toxic to humans. The plant contains a substance called saponin, which is toxic to humans and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.
