Sempervivum calcareum is a plant of succulent leaves that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Sempervivum calcareum.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: Sempervivum calcareum
Scientific name: Sempervivum calcareum
Plant type: Cactus / Succulent
Habit: Mat forming
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Patio & Container Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden
Planting type: Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: Drought resistant
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Sempervivum calcareum (Sempervivum calcareum) – Emőke Dénes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cacti and succulent plants are appreciated for their natural charm, mainly for their leaf shapes, but also in some cases for their colorful flowers in spring and summer.
They should be cultivated in areas that mimic the conditions in which they grow in nature, which are usually exposed places with stony and fast-draining soils.
These characteristics make them to be grown in pots.
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How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Sempervivum calcareum, know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Sempervivum calcareum is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Sempervivum calcareum likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Sempervivum calcareum should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Sempervivum calcareum (Sempervivum calcareum) – C T Johansson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
