Sempervivum - Hardy Succulent

Sempervivum, also known as houseleek, is a versatile and easy to maintain plant from the Crassulaceae family. This plant is known for its fleshy leaf rosettes that can occur in different colors. The origin of Sempervivum lies in the high mountains, such as the Pyrenees and the Carpathians. It is a strong plant that thrives in sunny and dry conditions, which makes it perfect for outdoor cultivation on terraces or in the garden.

What makes Sempervivum so special is the way it multiplies. The plant forms small rosettes that grow like rosettes around the mother plant, which can create a dense carpet of plants. This makes Sempervivum perfect for creating beautiful landscapes in rock gardens, as border planting or even in pots on the balcony. In addition, this plant is also frost-resistant, so it can remain standing all year round. With its unique shapes and colours, Sempervivum always offers an interesting view and adds a touch of natural beauty to any space.

The Sempervivum likes a sip of water

Sempervivum, or houseleek, does not need much water and is sensitive to overwatering. It is important to let the soil dry out well between waterings, especially in the winter when the plant needs less water. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which can damage the plant and even kill it. Therefore, it is essential to have good drainage in the pot in which the Sempervivum grows, so that excess water can drain away.

In the summer, Sempervivum plants may need watering about once a week, depending on the dryness and heat. Pay close attention to the leaves of the plant - if they look wilted or limp, this is a sign that the plant needs water. However, never water when the soil still feels damp, as this can lead to root rot problems. In the winter, watering can be reduced to about once a month, as the plant is dormant during this period and uses less water.

It is also important to remember that Sempervivum plants use their fleshy leaves to store water, so they can survive for a while without water. By placing the plant in a sunny spot and providing the right watering, you can ensure that your Sempervivum stays healthy and happy. It is a matter of finding the right balance between watering and keeping an eye on the plant's needs.

Summer

Sempervivum is a succulent. This means that it does not need much water. It also originally comes from a dry climate. That is why it has no problems with some Dutch sun. However, it is not recommended to water the Sempervivum in the sun. If you do, it is possible that the leaves will burn and turn ugly brown. Due to its short roots, it quickly absorbs water and stores it in its leaves and branches. That is why it needs little water. So it is very easy to maintain.

Winter

When winter is upon us, the rules are reversed! If the Sempervivum is outside, it must remain dry so that the moisture does not freeze and damage the plant. The Sempervivum does not suffer from a dry root ball during this period, it is in a kind of hibernation!
When the plant is kept indoors during the winter it should be kept slightly moist, so not soaking wet but just so that the root ball feels slightly damp.

General rules

In addition to the above guidelines, it is best to follow these rules:

First, give the plant a little water. If the soil is dry within 2 days, it means it needs a little more water. Adjust the amount of water until it still feels slightly moist between 2 and 5 days after watering, and almost dry after 5 days. If it feels very wet after 5 days, wait until it is almost dry and water again, but reduce the amount.

Spraying

We recommend that you spray the Sempervivum with water weekly. However, we do not recommend this during warm summer days, so that you do it either in the evening after sunset, or on days when the sun shines little, because the water droplets bundle the incoming sunlight into small points that become very hot. These cause the leaves to dry out, or even burn through.
Apart from the negative effect of bright sunlight on wet leaves, misting has beneficial effects for your Sempervivum. Namely, it removes dust from the leaves, allowing them to absorb sunlight better and look more beautiful, and it prevents certain types of pests.

Where is the best place to place the Sempervivum - Winterhardy Succulent?

Sempervivum, also known as houseleek, thrives best in a sunny spot. These plants are true sun worshippers and need at least a few hours of direct sunlight per day. That is why it is ideal to place them in a sunny spot in the house or outside on the terrace or in the garden. They can even remain outside all year round. It is important to ensure good drainage, as too much moisture can cause the roots of the plant to rot. That is why it is advisable to use a pot with drainage holes and to ensure well-draining potting soil.

In terms of temperature, Sempervivum plants thrive in any temperature and are even frost-resistant. This makes them very suitable for an outdoor garden where temperatures can vary. Since this plant requires little water and can withstand drought, it is important to avoid keeping the soil too moist, especially in winter. It is advisable to water the plant only when the soil is completely dry and to reduce the number of times you water it in winter.

All in all, Sempervivum is an easy and versatile plant that does well in sunny and dry places, both indoors and outdoors. By providing sufficient sunlight, good drainage and watering when necessary, you can make this plant grow and flower beautifully. It is a plant that has few demands and is therefore perfect for novice plant lovers or busy people who have little time for plant care.

Light

The Sempervivum - Hardy Succulent is a plant that likes a fair amount of sunlight. It likes to be in full sun or half shade, taking in all the light. Is it indoors? Then it wants a spot near a window or where there is some light. The Sempervivum - Hardy Succulent requires at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day

Wind

Make sure that the Sempervivum - Winterhardy Succulent experiences as little wind as possible. Wind can damage the leaves, causing them to die off more quickly. A little wind is no problem.

Temperature requirements

As stated in the title of this chapter, the Sempervivum is winter-hardy. But even winter-hardy plants have their limits. That is why it is recommended to bring the Sempervivum inside when it is below -15 ℃. It is also recommended to keep the plant as dry as possible when it freezes.

Provide the Sempervivum - Winter-hardy Succulent with good nutrition

Sempervivum is a plant that requires little nutrition. This makes the maintenance of this plant extra easy. In principle, the Sempervivum thrives in poor soil and does not require special fertilizers. If you do decide to feed the plant, you can use a fertilizer for succulents. It is important not to fertilize the plant too much, because this can damage the roots and weaken the plant.

Feeding Sempervivum is best done in the spring, when the plants start to grow. Feed the plants according to the instructions on the packaging, and be careful not to overfeed the plant. Excessive fertilization can lead to poor growth and health of the plant.

Please note that the Sempervivum is able to store water in its leaves, so it is important to be careful with watering and feeding. A good balance between watering and feeding will ensure that your Sempervivum remains healthy and strong. It is always advisable to check the plant occasionally for any signs of nutritional deficiency, such as discoloured leaves or slow growth, and adjust the feeding if necessary.

When the leaves change color

The leaves can get black leaf tips. This can mean that too much water has been released. Brown or yellow leaves can mean that too little water is being released. We then recommend checking this and possibly adjusting the watering. We also recommend making the plant a bit more beautiful by simply cutting off the ugly tips with scissors.

It is also possible that the Sempervivum - Winterhardy Succulent has been moved from a place with a lot/little light to a place with a different amount of light. This can also cause the leaves to discolour. The new leaves will be more resistant to direct sunlight.

How and when should you prune the Sempervivum - Winterhardy Succulent?

The leaves of the Sempervivum - Winterhardy Succulent will eventually wither. If this is the case with a leaf, you can simply cut the stem near the trunk. It is not a problem to cut off an entire leaf with the stem of the plant. This is the way the plant forms its trunk.

How can I propagate the Sempervivum - Winterhardy Succulent?

Sempervivum can be propagated in several ways, including cuttings and sowing. Cutting Sempervivum is quite easy: select healthy stems of at least 10 centimeters long, cut them with a sharp knife and remove the lower leaves. Let the cutting dry for a few days before placing it in moist potting soil. Place the pot in a warm and bright place and keep the soil moist. Within a few weeks, roots will grow and the cutting will start to grow.

In addition, Sempervivum can also be propagated by separating the plant from the rhizomes and planting them in separate pots. This is a good way to rejuvenate the plant and prevent it from growing too large.

If you choose to sow Sempervivum, it is best to do this in spring or autumn. Sow the seeds in a mixture of potting soil and sand and keep the soil moist. Within a few weeks, the seeds will germinate and start to grow. This way you can naturally grow new Sempervivum plants and expand your collection.