Sempervivum arachnoideum
cobweb houseleek
An evergreen perennial forming a mat of fleshy rosettes 1-3cm across, leaves green or reddish, with cobwebby white hairs at the tips. Starry pink flowers 1cm in width in flat cymes on stems to 12cm
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Red White | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green Red White | ||
| Autumn | Green Red White | |||
| Winter | Green Red White |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Sempervivum are evergreen perennials forming mats of fleshy-leaved rosettes, often attractively coloured, with star-shaped pink or pale yellow flowers in summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Pyrenees to Carpath.
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Suitable for rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough or alpine house
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in spring, or root offsets in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
- Ground cover
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to vine weevil
Diseases
May be susceptible to a rust
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.