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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Sempervivum arachnoideum is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Emollient Haemostatic Odontalgic Ophthalmic Sedative Skin

The leaves are emollient, haemostatic, ophthalmic and sedative[7]. The crushed plant, or its juice, is applied externally to boils, wounds etc and is also used to stop nose bleeds[7]. The slightly warmed juice has been used to relieve ear inflammations and toothaches can be relieved by chewing on the leaves[7]. When macerated and infused in vinegar, the plant can be used to get rid of warts and corns[7]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and are best used when fresh since they are difficult to dry properly[7]. The leaf pulp is used to make a cooling face mask for reddened or sunburnt skin[7].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained gritty soil in full sun[200]. Succeeds in any sandy soil, doing well in very little soil in rock crevices, walls, paths etc so long as there is sufficient humus[1, 200]. Prefers growing on acid rocks, though it also succeeds on calcareous ones[219]. Established plants are drought tolerant[200]. Strongly dislikes winter wet[200]. Plants are not very tolerant of weed competition[K]. Polymorphic, this species is split into a number of sub-species by some botanists[200]. Individual rosettes die after flowering, but produce a number of offsets that continue to grow[188]. Hybridizes with a number of other members of this genus[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - surface sow in early spring in a cold frame. It usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 10°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer if they have made sufficient growth, otherwise grow them on for a further year in pots before planting them out[K]. Division of offsets in spring or early summer. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer. Plants can also be divided in September but these divisions should be overwintered in a greenhouse. Stem cuttings.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Austria, Switzerland, Germany (south), Italy, Spain, France (incl. Corsica)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Sempervivum caucasicum		Perennial	0.2	5-9		LM	N	DM	1	0
Sempervivum tectorum	Houseleek, Common houseleek, Hen and Chickens	Perennial	0.2	5-10	M	LM	N	DM	2	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Sempervivum arachnoideum - L.