Scientific Name
Sempervivum 'Gold Nugget'
Synonym(s)
Sempervivum 'Gold Nugget' Chick Charms®
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Sempervivum
Origin
This succulent was discovered in 2014 by Chris Hansen as a stable sport from Sempervivum 'Ruby Heart', an old cultivar by Kevin Vaughn, growing in a pot at his nursery Garden Solutions in Hudsonville, Michigan, United States. Introduced and patented (PP28284) in 2016, it is a part of his registered Chick Charms® series.
Description
Sempervivum 'Gold Nugget' is a stunning mound-forming succulent with rosettes of leaves with unique coloration throughout the growing seasons. The rosettes grow up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall and up to 5.2 inches (13 cm) in diameter. Leaves are golden green with dark red margins in spring, lime green without red margins in summer, golden yellow with dark red margins in fall, and red in winter. They are thick, succulent, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long, up to 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) wide, and have margins covered with short soft hairs. Unfortunately, flowers have not been observed to date, and they are not expected as the parent plant rarely blooms.
How to Grow and Care for Sempervivum 'Gold Nugget'
Light: This succulent prefers a spot in full sun but will appreciate some afternoon shade if planted in hot climates. It is not suitable for indoor growing because it usually does not get as much sunlight as it likes.
Soil: To ensure S. 'Gold Nugget' thrives, it needs a well-draining soil mix with 25 to 50 % sand, gravel, and perlite or pumice. If planting in a pot, a commercial soil mix for succulents should be sufficient to keep the roots dry and happy.
Temperature: S. 'Gold Nugget' is perfect for cold climates, as it can handle temperatures down to -30 °F (-34.4 °C). It is also heat-tolerant but prefers average summer temperatures between 65 and 75 °F (18 and 24 °C). USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4a to 9b, -30 to 30 °F (-34.4 to -1.1 °C).
Watering: Water thoroughly during the spring and summer and allow the soil to dry out between watering. Reduce watering in the fall when S. 'Gold Nugget' enters dormancy. Mature rosettes planted in the ground can overwinter without receiving extra water from you. Plants in containers may need a little water to make it through winter. Never let water sit in the rosette or underneath the pot.
Fertilizing: This Sempervivum grows well without feeding, but it benefits from a controlled-release fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season. It can also be fertilized once a week with a diluted liquid solution.
Repotting: Plants in containers will benefit from being repotted. Repot as needed, preferably during the spring.
Propagation: S. 'Gold Nugget' can be grown by dividing the offsets produced each season. The best time to divide the offsets is spring or summer, once they are at least a quarter of the mother rosette's size.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Sempervivum.
Toxicity of Sempervivum 'Gold Nugget'
Sempervivums are not known to contain any toxic compounds. Therefore, S. 'Gold Nugget' is considered a safe plant to grow around pets and children.
Hybrids of Sempervivum 'Gold Nugget'
Links
- Back to genus Sempervivum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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