Sempervivum arachnoideum 'Rubrum' - Red Cobweb Houseleek

Scientific Name

Common Names

Red Cobweb Houseleek, Red Spider Web Hens and Chicks

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Sempervivum

Description

Sempervivum arachnoideum ‘Rubrum’ is a low-growing, evergreen, perennial succulent, forming a mat of fleshy rosettes of ruby-red leaves, covered with very fine webbing, which looks like cobwebs. Stems bearing pink flowers appear in summer on mature rosettes which die after flowering.

Photo via flickr.com

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 4a to 10b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Because of the variability of Cobweb Houseleek, they easily adapt to the local conditions, and due to the small gene pool, they become a form or variety quite quickly, perfectly adapted to the local conditions of heat and cold as well as the amount of snow or rain and at which times of year.

Relatively easy to grow in container or in rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough or alpine house. They are ideal in so many ways, as they quickly start to form very tight clusters of rosettes, filling in Sempervivum walls, mosaics and topiary, and their shallow yet fibrous root systems hold soil in place even in vertical plantings. After the plant blooms and sets seed it will die, but there will be many offsets to take its place.

Plant in well drained succulent soil mix in full sun to light shade. Water regularly during the growing season and allow soil to dry out before watering again. Water very little during the winter months… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Cobweb Houseleek (Sempervivum arachnoideum)

Uses

The leaves of Cobweb Houseleek are emollient, haemostatic, ophthalmic and sedative. The crushed plant, or its juice, is applied externally to boils, wounds etc and is also used to stop nose bleeds… – See more at: Medicinal Use of Cobweb Houseleek