Sempervivum calcareum
chalky land houseleek
A succulent evergreen comprising rosettes of fleshy, grey-green, oblong leaves with pointed, dark red tips, and producing numerous offsets to create a low-growing mat. Small, dense clusters of pale pink, star-shaped flowers are produced on upright, leafy stalks in summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Red Grey Silver Green | ||
| Autumn | Red Grey Silver Green | |||
| Winter | Red Grey Silver Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Sempervivum are evergreen perennials forming mats of fleshy-leaved rosettes, often attractively coloured, with star-shaped pink or pale yellow flowers in summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- SW Alps
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Suitable for rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough or alpine house
Propagation
Propagate by rooting offsets in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required. Carefully remove spent rosettes after flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to sempervivum leaf miner, slugs and snails, and vine weevil larvae
Diseases
May be susceptible to a rust
Get involved
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