Sempervivum tectorum
Crassulaceae
Form
-native to French and Italian Alps, 2-4 inches in height, stems reaching up to 15 inches
Culture
-poor to average, well drained soil located in bright shade
-once rosette done blooming remove to make room for new plantlets
-clumps can be divided or rosette picked off can be planted individually
Use
-fairly drought resistant, if placed in extremely hot and dry conditions, will begin to shrivel
Foliage
-wide rosettes of green to blue-green leaves, spread to form clumps up to 2 feet wide
-rosettes produce stems with small clusters of red-purple star shaped flowers
-rosette dies, replaced by new one
Interesting Facts
-the 'hen' is the monther plant, once it blooms and dies the new rosette is referred to as the 'chick'
Banner Photo by Mathew J. Wilson