Scientific Name
Sempervivum montanum subsp. stiriacum (Wettst. ex Hayek) Wettst. ex Hayek
Common Names
Mountain Houseleek, Anomalous Houseleek
Synonyms
Sempervivum stiriacum, Sempervivum braunii, Sempervivum funckii, Sempervivum montanum f. braunii, Sempervivum montanum var. braunii, Sempervivum montanum var. stiriacum
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Sempervivum
Description
Sempervivum montanum subsp. stiriacum is a succulent plant that forms tight rounded rosettes of fleshy dull green leaves with pointed maroon-brown tips. It is distinguished from Sempervivum montanum subsp. montanum by its slightly narrower brown-tipped leaves. The rosettes grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, multiplying via short-stalked offsets to form dense mats. The mature rosettes bear clusters of relatively large, starry purple-pink flowers on thick, erect, scaly-leaved stalks in summer. The flowers have conspicuous white highlights. The rosette that flower dies soon after that.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 4a to 9b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 30 °F (−1.1 °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
Native to the southern and central European mountains from the Carpathians to the Pyrenees.
Links
- Back to genus Sempervivum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
