Scientific Name
Sempervivum globiferum subsp. allionii (Jord. & Fourr.) 't Hart & B.Bleij
Common Names
Rollers, Roller
Synonyms
Diopogon allionii, Diopogon arenarius subsp. allionii, Diopogon hirtus subsp. allionii, Jovibarba allionii, Jovibarba globifera subsp. allionii, Jovibarba hirta subsp. allionii, Sempervivum allionii, Sempervivum austriacum, Sempervivum hirsutum, Sempervivum hirtum
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Sempervivum
Description
Sempervivum globiferum subsp. allionii, also known as Jovibarba globifera subsp. allionii, is a cute succulent with hemispherical rosettes of pale green to almost yellow leaves. The rosettes grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Leaves are fleshy, spatulate, curved, and usually with reddish-brown tips. Flowers are with six petals, pale greenish-yellow or yellow, up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) across, and appear in summer. The plant produces small offsets that are lightly attached and easily pop off and roll away from the mother plant. Offsets survive the main rosette, which is monocarpic.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 4a to 10b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Sempervivums are not difficult to grow, provided they are not waterlogged and killed from excess watering. They can be easily grown outdoors and in containers, and they earned the name "Houseleeks" from their tendency to root on the roofs of houses. After the mother plant flowers, it will naturally die, but the plant has likely produced many offsets that will continue to grow by this time. These are excellent for cold windows. Sempervivum earned their popular name "Hen and Chicks" from their growth habit. The mother plant, or hen, sends off numerous offsets, clustering around her base like chicks. These offsets can be easily repotted, or the plants can be left to form a clumping mat.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a succulent, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Sempervivum.
Origin
Sempervivum globiferum subsp. allionii is native to the eastern and southern Alps, the Carpathians, and the western Balkans south to northern Albania.
Links
- Back to genus Sempervivum
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
