Sempervivum pumilum

Scientific Name

Sempervivum pumilum M.Bieb.

Common Names

Houseleek

Synonyms

Sempervivum braunii, Sempervivum dominii, Sempervivum montanum

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Sempervivum pumilum is a succulent plant that forms rosettes of hairy leaves. The rosettes grow up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) in diameter, producing numerous offsets. Leaves are lance-shaped, glandular downy, sometimes glabrous, and greyish-green becoming red in sunny places. Flower stems are up to 3 inches (8) cm tall, carrying four to eight flowers with rose-purple petals having paler margins.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 5a to 10a: from −20 °F (−28.9 °C) to 35 °F (+1.7 °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. See more at How to Grow and Care for Sempervivum.

Origin

Sempervivum pumilum is native to Russia and Georgia.