Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Alpine RockeryCactus Succulent

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

Synonyms
Sempervivum greenii
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
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 Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H5
Botanical 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

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.