Sempervivum arachnoideum aka Cob Webbed Houseleek

Taxonomy

Sempervivum arachnoideum, also known as the cobweb house-leek or Cobweb Houseleek, is a mat-forming evergreen succulent native to European mountains such as the Alps, Apennines, and Carpathians. This low-growing plant forms rosettes of fleshy, bright red leaves that spread approximately 8-12 inches wide. The central rosettes are furry, resembling spider webs, hence its name. It is valued for its ability to colonize hot and dry areas through offsets. The plant produces tall flower spikes in the summer, bearing starry pink flowers. It is a monocarpic succulent, meaning the mother rosette dies after flowering, but it is replaced by offsets on lateral runners. The pink flowers are hermaphroditic and appear in July. Sempervivum arachnoideum has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Common names

Cob Webbed Houseleek, Cobweb House Leek, Cobweb Houseleek

How to care for Cob Webbed Houseleek

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Cob Webbed Houseleek due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Cob Webbed Houseleek does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

To ensure the health of your Cob Webbed Houseleek, it's crucial to use a potting soil that won't hold too much moisture. A soil that drains well and contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage and organic matter for nutrition is ideal. Adding a few handfuls of perlite to store-bought cactus soil is an easy way to create this type of soil mix.

Lighting

Cob Webbed Houseleek thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Cobweb Houseleek.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Cob Webbed Houseleek to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Cob Webbed Houseleek is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Humidity

Cob Webbed Houseleek prefers dry environments, so misting the plant to provide extra humidity and allow water to linger on the leaves can create an ideal environment for fungi that can be harmful.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Cob Webbed Houseleek is necessary either when it has doubled in size or once every year, whichever happens first. With fresh potting soil replenished annually, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients, rendering the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that the source of a plant's energy is the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Cob Webbed Houseleek’s native range is the Mediterranean.

Flower

Yes, if you provide it with the correct amount of sunlight and water, you can witness your Cob Webbed Houseleek blooming.


More info:
Wikipedia