Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Alpine RockeryCactus SucculentConservatory GreenhouseHerbaceous PerennialHouseplants

Sempervivum 'Onyx' (SuperSemps Series)

A mat-forming, evergreen alpine succulent to around 20cm in height, with rosettes of large, dark purple to mahogany black leaves. Starry pink flowers on slender stalks appear above the foliage from June to August

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Black Brown Purple
Summer Pink Black Brown Purple
Autumn Black Brown Purple
Winter Black Brown Purple
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Crassulaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Suitable for rock gardens, scree beds, wall crevices, troughs or alpine houses. See cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to sempervivum leaf miner, slugs, snails, and vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust

Get involved

The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.