What kind of succulent plant is Sempervivum arachnoideum?
Sempervivum arachnoideum is a succulent plant in the family Crassulaceae, genus Sempervivum. It is characterized by the natural fine hairs that cling to the leaf tips. Individual plants of this variety differ considerably: the diameter of each plant and the density of the hairs vary from one to another. It readily hybridizes naturally with other Sempervivum varieties.
Sempervivum arachnoideum
A single plant measures 1.5-3.5 cm in diameter. The plant is relatively short, nearly spherical, and grows pressed to the ground. A large amount of spiderweb-textured hairs wraps around the leaf tips, but the hairs of wild plants may disappear in autumn and winter. In the wild the leaves are arranged very tightly, and it divides extremely easily; after the offsets grow larger they form dense clusters. The leaves are flat, generally tender green, shaped like bamboo slivers, with slightly pointed tips. The petals are pink with dark stripes.
Sempervivum arachnoideum
It grows quickly and tends to form clusters. It prefers cool, sunny environments, dislikes damp heat, is cold-hardy, and goes dormant in high summer temperatures. Spring and autumn are its growing seasons. In soil with good drainage, under full sun and with a large temperature difference (or low temperatures), the undersides of the leaves turn red or purple. It dies after flowering, so the flowering period can be used for pollination or division.
Sempervivum arachnoideum
Sempervivum arachnoideum has a peculiar and beautiful form. The tender green leaves are arranged in a neat rosette, the white delicate threads wrapped around the leaf tips are especially distinctive, and the offsets it sends out are as lovely as small jade bells. Planted in a rustic stone or cement pot, with large-grained plain-colored stones as top dressing, it looks very elegant; planted casually in a courtyard, clusters of green rosettes stretching out at angles show even more of a wild beauty; paired with a light-colored rot-resistant wood container, it takes on a touch of European pastoral flavor.