How to Grow and Care for Sempervivum arachnoideum

Common names for Sempervivum arachnoideum

The common name for Sempervivum arachnoideum is cobweb houseleek.

Habits of Sempervivum arachnoideum

Sempervivum arachnoideum is a succulent in the genus Sempervivum of the family Crassulaceae, and summer is its period of vigorous growth.

Sempervivum arachnoideum is native to Europe and likes a warm, dry environment with plenty of sunlight. Its optimum growing temperature is18~22℃。

It is tolerant of drought and partial shade, and can also take full-day sunlight. It likes a relatively dry environment, so water it sparingly and keep the potting soil dry.

For home care, it is commonly propagated by sowing and cuttings. Its main pests and diseases are leaf spot and whitefly.

Care tips for Sempervivum arachnoideum

Watering: During the growing season, keep the potting soil slightly moist. Soil that is too wet will make the leaves grow rapidly and spoil the ornamental effect. In winter, when temperatures are lower, the potting soil is best kept slightly dry. When watering, do not pour water directly into the center of the plant, as this may make the web-like structure disappear and ruin its appearance.

Fertilizing: Fertilize once a month, using diluted cake fertilizer or organic fertilizer specially formulated for succulents. When fertilizing, apply light fertilizer frequently, so as not to over-fertilize and cause the leaves to become leggy and the plant to age.

Repotting: Repot Sempervivum arachnoideum once every two years, and replace the soil at the same time. For the potting soil, use an even mix of leaf mold and coarse sand, with a small amount of bone meal added.

Propagation methods for Sempervivum arachnoideum

Sowing: Sow indoors in pots in spring. Scatter the seeds evenly over the soil, with no need to cover them with soil, and place a layer of quartz sand around them. Keep the temperature at20~22℃, and sowing10~12days later they will germinate. The seedlings grow slowly; once they have grown into young plants, they can be divided into separate pots and replanted.

Cuttings: Take cuttings in spring and autumn. Cut off the small offsets at the base of the leaf rosette, insert them into the soil, and2~3weeks later they will root; after another middle weeks they can be transplanted into pots. Alternatively, snap off a leaf rosette that has a rhizome and pot it up directly.

Suggested planting combination: Fenestraria rhopalophylla.