Sempervivum Green Wheel Houseleek, Lakshmi Kamal

Sempervivum ‘Green Wheel’ is a solid green variety of the historic garden with succulent foliage. Forms multiple rosettes apple-green foliage. Displays pastel pink flowers.

What are Sempervivum?

Sempervivum means “always alive”. They are commonly called Hens & Chicks as the Mother, or Hen will send out Babies, or Chicks to quickly multiply and create a beautiful patch of succulent bliss. Sempervivum are monocarpic and will expire after blooming, although the Chicks will quickly fill in the space left by the Mother. These plants are almost always changing color, so don’t be surprised if they look completely different through the seasons.

Where do they thrive?

Hens & Chicks grow best in well-drained, gravelly soil that is not wet in winter. ‘Wet feet’ may cause the plant to rot. They are drought tolerant once established. Great in containers and rock gardens, including small crevices or spaces with limited soil.

Plant Care

Light:

Place your succulent anywhere it can receive plenty of suns or bright light. Avoid intense, direct sunlight until the plant has acclimatized to its new environment.

Soil: Make sure the soil is moist at all times during the spring and summer months.

Water: Water when soil is dry to the touch, which is approximately every 7 - 10 days. Avoid water it daily. Water them more in spring and summer and less in winter, and it’s better to underwater them than overwater them.

Application of Fertilizer During the main growing season feed the plant with organic fertilizer once a month. Loosen the topsoil without disturbing the roots of the plant so it can uptake the nutrients and moisture easily. Re-potting When a plant outgrows in current pot, re-pot with fresh potting soil and some fertilizer. Do the re-potting late evening and keep the plant in shady area for 2 to 3 days and then move the plant in its suitable climatic condition. For re-potting procedure click here

Plant Protection

Remove dead, infected or damaged plant parts and dispose them away from the planting area. Spray Neem, Eucalyptus or Citrus oil for any insect/pest attack, as a primary treatment.

Donts Easily grows in AC rooms but away from AC vents. Do not over-water the plant especially when pot does not have drainage holes.

Sempervivum Green Wheel Care

Initial care for 1-2 weeks after receiving plant at your location:

Keep the plant in natural indirect bright Light. Poke your finger/plain small stick into the soil to check the moisture. Water when top soil (1-2 inches) feels dry to touch. Do not re-pot for min. 2 weeks after receiving it.