Where is Sempervivum suited for cultivation, which month does it bloom, and does it die after blooming?
Sempervivum is the collective name for plants in the genus Sempervivum of the Crassulaceae family, mainly distributed across Eurasia. It readily forms clusters, is cold-hardy, relatively tolerant of sun, and not tolerant of damp heat, making it suitable as an accent plant in rock gardens. So, where is Sempervivum suited for cultivation? Which month is its flowering period? Does it die after blooming?
1. Where is Sempervivum suited for cultivation?
Sempervivum is an alpine-type succulent that prefers a sunny, cool and dry environment and is suited to acidic, neutral and alkaline soils alike. Apart from needing appropriate shading and avoidance of scorching sun during the high temperatures of summer, it needs full sunlight in the other seasons, and watering should be restricted in winter; it can withstand low temperatures of -20°C. The plant is dormant during both the summer heat and the winter cold. The cooler spring and autumn seasons are its main growing periods, when it requires ample sunlight; insufficient light will cause the plant's form to become loose and not compact, affecting its quality and ornamental value, whereas plants grown in ample light have thick, plump leaves, a compact form and brilliant leaf color, looking very beautiful.
2. Which month is the flowering period of Sempervivum?
Plants of the genus Sempervivum are all monocarpic, with the flowering period generally from June to August.
3. Does Sempervivum die after blooming?
Each rosette of Sempervivum can bloom only once, with the flower stalk extending from the growing point, and the rosette that has bloomed will die. So the saying that it dies once it blooms is indeed true.
Why is it called Sempervivum: Europeans saw this flower-like plant proudly “blooming” on the mountains, not withering even in winter and instead multiplying more each year, and thought it could live forever. In practice it dies once it blooms, but it leaves behind many offsets, so its descendants continue and multiply ceaselessly, which is why it is called “Sempervivum” (ever-living).