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Sempervivum 'Black'

Also Known As

Black Hens and Chicks
Black Houseleek

Plant type

cactus / succulent, groundcover

size

H: 2"-4"
W: 3"-6"

planting zones

4a-9b

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Sempervivum 'Black' plant details

Who can resist black leaves? Greener with black leaf tips in summer, Sempervivum 'Black' is nicely timed for Halloween, when the dark purple/black becomes more prominent.

Sempervivum 'Black' is an evergreen groundcover cactus / succulent with black, green and purple foliage. In summer pink flowers emerge. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and low water. Does well in average, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Sempervivum 'Black'

Plant type: groundcover cactus / succulent
Plant family: crassulaceae
Foliage: evergreen black, green and purple
Mature size: 3 IN - 6 IN - wide, 2 IN - 4 IN - tall
Flowers: pink blooms in summer
Uses: alpine, container plant, easy-to-grow, goth garden, hell strip, long-lived, rock garden, roof garden, rosette-forming, xeric, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Sempervivum 'Black'

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: low
Resistant to: deer, heat
Soil needs: average, gritty and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

The rosette is bright green with purple tips.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Sempervivum ‘Black’ is an historic garden plant with succulent foliage. Forms rosettes of bright yellow-green foliage with tips edged in purple. Displays small, frosty white flower spikes.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Distinctive house leek selection with large green rosettes, 5-6" or more, with purple-black leaf tips that cover almost the whole leaf by late fall when the temperatures dip. Full sun for best color. Plant in well-drained soil with little additional water once established. Frost hardy to USDA zone 5. Pink flowers in summer.

By: Cistus Nursery

Garden photo gallery of Sempervivum 'Black'

Photo of Sempervivum 'Black' foliage by Little Prince of Oregon

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By: Little Prince of Oregon

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Gardening facts about Sempervivum 'Black' plant

How to Grow Sempervivum 'Black'

Sun Exposure
- sun - mostly sun
Water Needs
- low
Soil Needs
- average
- well-drained
- gritty
Special Situation
- heat tolerant

Features

Foliage Color
- green
- purple
- black
Flower Color
- pink
Wildlife
- bees
- butterflies
- deer resistant
Flower Season
- summer
Foliage Season
- evergreen

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Sempervivum for your garden

Sempervivum arachnoideum 'Rubrum'

aka Sempervivum 'Red Cobweb', Sempervivum arachnoideum 'Red Cobweb', Cobweb Houseleek, Hens and Chickens, Rubrum Hen and Chicks

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent, Groundcover

Zones

4a-9b

Size

Height: 1"-4"

Width: 5"-10"

sun - mostly sun
occasional - drought tolerant

Photo of Sempervivum arachnoideum 'Rubrum' foliage by Little Prince of Oregon

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Sempervivum ciliosum

aka Sempervivum 'Borisii', Sempervivum borisii, Sempervivum borisii ssp. ciliosum, Sempervivum ciliosum var. borisii, Borisii Hen and Chicks, Hens and Chicks