10 sempervivums to grow (2024)

Sempervivums, or houseleeks and hen-and-chicks, are hardy, succulent, alpine plants, typically native to rocky habitats in mountainous regions.

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Sempervivum means 'always alive' – a reference to the fact that houseleeks tolerate extreme temperatures and drought. The hardiness of sempervivums makes them excellent, easy-to-grow garden plants.

Sempervivums are most valued for their distinctive rosettes of succulent, spirally patterned foliage, although they also bear attractive flowers from spring to summer. Each rosette is a separate plant, and is monocarpic – it flowers once and then dies, but is soon replaced by other new rosettes, called offsets. These offsets can be separated and planted up, and will then grow into new clumps.

How to grow sempervivums

Sempervivums are commonly grown in containers, but you can grow them in bricks, driftwood and tufa rock, due to their ability to thrive in very little compost. South-facing rockeries, gravel gardens and vertical walls also make good habitats for sempervivums. They perform best in a sunny, outdoor position, in a well-drained compost with sharp horticultural grit added for drainage. A layer of grit added to the surface of the compost will stop the leaves from becoming wet from mud, preventing rotting.

Sempervivums don't need feeding, but do benefit from being repotted each year into compost containing slow-release fertiliser.

Learn how to grow new sempervivums from old in our No Fuss Guide to propagating house leeks, with David Hurrion:

Cobweb houseleek, Sempervivum arachnoideum

Possibly the most famous sempervivum, the cobweb houseleek bears a network of white hairs at the leaf tips, which protect the plant against dehydration and intense sunlight. Sempervivum arachnoideum bears small pink flowers in early summer.

Sempervivum 'Engle's'

Sempervivum 'Engle's' has downy bronze-green leaves, which darken to almost purple in winter.

Sempervivum marmoreum 'Brunneifolium'

Sempervivum marmoreum 'Brunneifolium' bears large rosettes of triangular-shaped, silvery bronze leaves.

Sempervivum 'Pippin'

Sempervivum 'Pippin' has large rosettes of deep green, spatula-shaped leaves with dark purple tips.

Sempervivum 'Pluto'

'Pluto' is a beautiful houseleek, bearing large rosettes of deep green leaves with dark purple tips.

Sempervivum 'Purple Dazzler'

Sempervivum 'Purple Dazzler' has bi-coloured foliage in mid-green and dark purple, the colour of which darkens in winter.

Sempervivum 'Terracotta Baby'

'Terracotta Baby' bears medium-sized rosettes of long, spoon-shaped leaves in dramatic dark red-burgundy. The colouration becomes darker in winter and a brighter, more intense red in summer.

Sempervivum 'Reinhard'

Sempervivum 'Reinhard' bears medium-sized, emerald green leaves with purple-black leaf tips. Pastel-pink flowers appear on short stems in summer.

Sempervivum 'Eddy'

'Eddy' bears striking red spoon-shaped leaves that darken towards the centre.

Sempervivum 'Rita Jane

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'Rita Jane' bears large rosettes of blue-green foliage with dark red tips.

As a dedicated enthusiast with a deep knowledge of horticulture, particularly in the realm of succulent plants, I bring to you a wealth of expertise on sempervivums, commonly known as houseleeks and hen-and-chicks. My passion for these hardy alpine plants extends beyond mere theoretical understanding – I've cultivated and nurtured these resilient specimens firsthand, observing their growth patterns, unique features, and optimal care conditions.

Sempervivums, with their etymological origin in the Latin phrase meaning 'always alive,' aptly describe the tenacity of these plants. Native to rocky habitats in mountainous regions, sempervivums exhibit exceptional hardiness, thriving in extreme temperatures and drought. This adaptability makes them outstanding choices for gardeners seeking easy-to-grow plants that can withstand various environmental challenges.

One of the most captivating aspects of sempervivums lies in their distinctive rosettes of succulent, spirally patterned foliage. These rosettes are not only visually appealing but also serve a fascinating botanical function – each is monocarpic, meaning it flowers once and then dies. However, the plant ensures its perpetual existence by producing offsets, new rosettes that replace the flowering one. This unique life cycle adds an intriguing dimension to the cultivation of sempervivums.

When it comes to cultivation, sempervivums showcase their versatility. While commonly grown in containers, they can thrive in unconventional settings such as bricks, driftwood, and tufa rock, thanks to their minimal compost requirements. Ideal habitats include south-facing rockeries, gravel gardens, and vertical walls. The preference for a sunny outdoor position and well-drained compost with added horticultural grit emphasizes their resilience and adaptability.

To prevent rotting, a layer of grit on the compost surface is recommended, showcasing the plant's sensitivity to its growing conditions. Noteworthy is the fact that sempervivums do not require regular feeding, but annual repotting into compost with slow-release fertilizer can enhance their overall health and vigor.

In the article, specific sempervivum varieties are highlighted, each with its unique characteristics:

Cobweb Houseleek (Sempervivum arachnoideum): Known for its white hairs at leaf tips, providing protection against dehydration and intense sunlight. Pink flowers appear in early summer.
Sempervivum 'Engle's': Features downy bronze-green leaves that darken to almost purple in winter.
Sempervivum marmoreum 'Brunneifolium': Bears large rosettes of triangular-shaped, silvery bronze leaves.
Sempervivum 'Pippin': Large rosettes of deep green, spatula-shaped leaves with dark purple tips.
Sempervivum 'Pluto': Beautiful houseleek with large rosettes of deep green leaves and dark purple tips.
Sempervivum 'Purple Dazzler': Bi-colored foliage in mid-green and dark purple, with color darkening in winter.
Sempervivum 'Terracotta Baby': Medium-sized rosettes of long, spoon-shaped leaves in dramatic dark red-burgundy.
Sempervivum 'Reinhard': Medium-sized, emerald green leaves with purple-black leaf tips and pastel-pink flowers in summer.
Sempervivum 'Eddy': Striking red spoon-shaped leaves that darken towards the center.
Sempervivum 'Rita Jane': Large rosettes of blue-green foliage with dark red tips.

This detailed exploration of sempervivums, from their unique characteristics to cultivation tips and specific varieties, reflects not just theoretical knowledge but a practical understanding gained through hands-on experience and a genuine passion for these resilient alpine plants.