Sempervivum arachnoideum subsp. tomentosum 'Minus'

RHS Plant Profile
woolly cobweb houseleek 'Minus'

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Annual Biennial Cactus Succulent

A mat-forming succulent making rosettes to 4cm across, composed of fleshy, green and red leaves with interconnecting cobweb-like white hairs at the leaf tips. In summer it produces a 10cm tall flowerspike bearing starry pink flowers. The rosettes die after flowering but numerous offsets are produced

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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 poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in full sun. In pots use a 50:50 mix of peat-free, loam-based potting compost and grit. Protect from excessive winter wet. See hardy cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by removal of offsets in spring and early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil larvae

Diseases

May be susceptible to rust diseases