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Sempervivum calcareum

Also Known As

Sempervivum calcareum var. columnare
Sempervivum calcareum var. genuinum
Sempervivum calcareum var. racemosum
Sempervivum calcareum var. tectorum
Sempervivum californicum
Sempervivum columnare
Sempervivum racemosum
Sempervivum tectorum subsp. calcareum
Sempervivum tectorum var. calcareum
Sempervivum tectorum var. calcareum
Sempervivum tectorum var. columnare
Sempervivum tectorum var. racemosum
Common Houseleek
Fire Dragon
Hens and Chicks

Plant type

cactus / succulent, groundcover

size

H: 2"-4"
W: 5"-10"

planting zones

4a-10b

More Options

Sempervivum calcareum plant details

Sempervivum calcareum is an evergreen groundcover cactus / succulent with green and red foliage. In summer pink flowers emerge. Features glaucous and glossy texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter. Does well in average, gritty, lean and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Sempervivum calcareum

Plant type: groundcover cactus / succulent
Plant family: crassulaceae
Foliage: evergreen green and red
Mature size: 5 IN - 10 IN - wide, 2 IN - 4 IN - tall
Flowers: pink blooms in summer
Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, long-lived, rock garden, roof garden, rosette-forming, xeric, year-round-interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Sempervivum calcareum

USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: average, gritty, lean and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Evergreen rosettes of succulent foliage. The leaves of Fire Dragon are deep-crimson tipped, silvery blue-green. Pink flowers. Forms spreading clumps by offsets. Sempervivums grow best in well-drained, gravelly soil that is not wet in winter. Drought tolerant. Requires little water once established. Zn 4.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Brightly colored hybrid alpine groundcover succulent.

By: Cactus Jungle

These are from seed, and pretty variable, but all of them have very nice glaucus blue foliage and most of them are HUGE. Perhaps the largest semps we grow.