Sempervivum arachnoideum Cobweb  (Cobweb Houseleek / Cobweb Hens and Chicks)

Description

Sempervivum arachnoideum This is another member of the Hens and Chicks genus. It is a small succulent which can form mats of tightly packed rosettes. These rosettes are composed of thick, green leaves which may take on a reddish-green tinge in full sun. It is characterised by having a fine white covering which spans the tips of the leaves, making the plant look as though it is covered by a spider’s web – from which it derived its popular and scientific names.

This succulent hails from rocky and mountainous regions of Europe, from the Alps and Carpathians where it is accustomed to high sunlight and relatively cooler weather. It thrives in locations with several hours of daily direct and /or bright light including on open balconies and terraces, in sunny windowsills, and even in rock gardens. Over time, the cobweb houseleek will steadily spread by the central rosette, known as the hen, budding more and more tiny rosettes, known as chicks, around the hen until they cover it.

A robust and resilient succulent plantCobweb Houseleek will make an attractive textured plant for a bright spot in your garden or outdoors. Being small and easy to care for it's an ideal plant for rockeries, in succulent bowls or to tuck into succulent displays.

Key Features

• Tight little clusters with a soft, fine white covering like a cobweb.
• Spreads slowly, making offset rosettes ( chicks) at the base of the plant (hen). 
• A hardy cold-lover that will survive the outdoors well enough.
• Will require very little watering once it has taken. 
• Ideal in a sunny situation such as a balcony, terrace or rockery.
• Ideal size for a succulent bowl or a planting that will hold mixed materials. 
• Easy and forgiving care is a boon for beginner succulent owners. 
• Textured form that separates itself from many other succulents.

Care at a Glance

Product Specifications

What's in the Box

• 1 x Sempervivum arachnoideum Cobweb live plant

• 1 x Pot (Bare-rooted/Pot: Optional)

• Potting mix

• Basic care guide

Important Notes

• Plants are living things, therefore slight differences from picture to the live plants in rosette size, colouration, and webbing could occur. 
• Avoid handling the plant directly and roughly when unpackaging as the very fine web on tips of the rosette could be damaged easily.
• A few outside leaves could show indications of slight stress from transportation but usually these recover within a week of normal light care. 
• Bright Light is ideal, put your plant in a nice bright position soon after arrival because when plants are in too little light their rosettes begin to stretch.
• The plant will require less water in the cool winter months, as this will not grow in. 
• Water will remain collecting in the rosette of the plant as well as on the webbing, thus causing a rot in time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My Cobweb Houseleek is streaked out and looks weak instead of being tight.

A: Cobweb Houseleeks stretch out because they do not receive enough light. Place your Cobweb Houseleek somewhere with many hours of direct and bright light. The plant will tighten up on its own over time.

Q: How many times do I need to water this? 

A: Water this plant once a week, but you will know it's time when the soil starts getting completely dry between watering's, mostly done in hot seasons, less in winter.

 Q: Is it possible to plant this plant inside? 

A: It can withstand some time, but if possible you want to grow them outside, where there is sun and light, on a balcony, terrace or an unshaded windowsill.

Q: I have been told this plant dies when it blooms. Is this accurate?

A: Each of the rosette plants are monocarpic, which refers to rosettes dying when they flower. When one rosette does this, it has new rosette offsets that grow along the side, making this process more about each particular rosette than about the entire plant.

Q: How fast does this plant grow? 

A: It’s a moderate grower with extra offset rosettes appearing around the primary plant throughout the growing season, which helps to fill in the pot. 

Q: Does this plant need fertiliser? 

A: It is pretty forgiving if fed intermittently or not at all; however, should you wish to fertilise, the diluted liquid fertiliser during spring and summer is perfectly fine.