To date, one of the hardiest species of succulent that we have are sempervivums. This species, especially S. hueffeli variants, is known to survive down into hardiness zones three and four.
Alongside their hardiness and ease of care, sempervivums are also extremely colorful and have a very broad range of colors they can be. As you will see in this collection, Sempervivums can even be white!
Jump to:
- 1. Sempervivum arachnoideum subsp. tomentosum 'Stansfieldii'
- 2. Jungle Fire
- 3. Sempervivum calcareum
- 4. Key Lime Kiss
- 5. Sempervivum globiferum
- 6. Mint Marvel
- 7. Strawberry Kiwi
- 8. Oddity
- 9. Desert Bloom
- 10. Sempervivum pilioseum
- 11. Cranberry Cocktail
- 12. Berry Blues
- 13. Grape Galaxy
- 14. Red Rubin
- 15. Amanda
- 16. Lotus Blossom
- 17. Kramers Spinrad
- 18. Black Rose
- 19. Sempervivium kosaninii
- 20. Royal Ruby
- 21. Gold Rush
- 22. Watermelon Ripple
1. Sempervivum arachnoideum subsp. tomentosum 'Stansfieldii'
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 2.5 inches |
| Maximum Width | 2.5 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 10 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Linear that comes to a very dramatic point |
| Growth Type | Tight and compact rosette |
With maroon red centers and light green margins, it is easy to see why this species is so desirable. The margins have thin hairs which come from the arachnoideum aspect of this species. The margins are covered with cilia which makes this species seem fluffier than it is.
2. Jungle Fire
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 8 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Linear leaves that come to a sharp point |
| Growth Type | Open rosette |
This little beauty holds a big surprise! First, they start off at a lime green with slightly reddish terminal spines. However, as they grow and continue throughout the year, you’ll notice the reason for the name. This sempervivum turns a drastic deep red that looks akin to the deep reds of a strong fire.
3. Sempervivum calcareum
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 6 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | White |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Broad, stumpy linear leaves with fine point and cilia along the margins |
| Growth Type | Open Rosette |
Also known as Greenii, S. calcaerum is a rapidly propagating species that can quickly mound and fill a put. They make beautiful arrangements as they hang off thick stems. The rosettes themselves are almost a dusty green with maroon tips. Younger rosettes have more farina on them, which gives them a slight glowing quality.
4. Key Lime Kiss
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 3 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | Yellow |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Lance-like shape that curves inwards |
| Growth Type | Tight easily propagating rosettes |
Chick Charms is one of the most prolific producers of variants. Key Lime Kiss is another S. hueffeli variant that quickly offsets. The most attractive element is how tight the rosettes are and the bright lime green color that they have. Each is like a little kiss of key lime pie!
5. Sempervivum globiferum
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 3 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Spiked and fleshy lance-like leaves |
| Growth Type | Compact easily offset rosette |
There are many variants of S. globiferum but the true species has an adorable characteristic: pups that emerge from the mother are known as rollers because they easily separate from the mother plant and literally roll away to establish themselves. The original species is a bright forest green with maroon tips: the rosettes are also incredibly compact, akin to Key Lime Kiss.
6. Mint Marvel
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 4 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | White |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Almost obtuse with tufted spine ends and hairs along the leaves |
| Growth Type | Dense rosette that easily offsets |
Mint marvel is a part of the S. calcaerum variants, which is made obvious by the way the rosette is shaped and the coloration. Mint Marvel differs from the more farina-covered species and instead has lighter-colored green leaves with similar maroon-colored tips.
7. Strawberry Kiwi
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 4 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | More triangular with rounded base; margins have cilia |
| Growth Type | Open rosette |
Another Chick Charms collectible, Strawberry Kiwi, is also known as Sempervivum ‘Fashion Diva’ and for a good reason. If a succulent could remind you of a flavor well, then Strawberry Kiwi does just that. The center of the rosette is brilliant lime green, while the red at the tips of the leaves tends to fade to a strawberry red before ending in more maroon terminal spines.
8. Oddity
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 4 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Tightly curled leaves that can open; can have multiple spines per fleshy leaf |
| Growth Type | Tight Rosette |
Yet another on my personal list of species to collect, Oddity is a unique species because of how the leaves are shaped. As new leaves emerge, they are wrapped tightly in a circular motion with red tips. Some leaves can have up to three different terminal spines! It is rare, but the older the leaves get, the more they can unfurl. Many of the leaves will maintain a curled, almost tubular shape even as they age.
9. Desert Bloom
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 3 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Broad fleshy oval with cilia along the margins |
| Growth Type | Upward open rosette |
Recall old Western movies and the sepia tone that so many of them had? Well, that’s what the Desert Rose looks like. In some areas, the leaves can remain green, but when combined with the coppery red of the cilia-edged leaves, you get a beautiful rustic sepia rose color: hence the name Desert Rose. This species, during dormancy and stress, can turn to more of a maroon color.
10. Sempervivum pilioseum
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 4 inches |
| Maximum Width | 8 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 4 and up |
| Bloom Color | White |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Rounded leaves with tufted tip and cilia-covered margins |
| Growth Type | Clumping tight rosette |
One of the most attractive elements of this species is that each offset easily starts to look like its own bouquet of succulents. The rosettes tend to be a little loose, but they make up for this with how tightly the rosettes clump together. The leaves are a deep grey-green, but some variation can occur throughout the year.
11. Cranberry Cocktail
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 12 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining, additional grit |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 4 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Fleshy linear to oval with spined tip; some cilia |
| Growth Type | Open rosette that easily propagates |
Another collectible and variant from Chick Charms, this variant is also called Sempervivum ‘Killer’ and is a sibling to Strawberry Kiwi! What sets them apart is that Killer has a tighter rosette with leaves that are slightly thinner than Strawberry Kiwi. They make up for this thinness with the sheer number of leaves that slowly open and change color based on seasons and stresses.
12. Berry Blues
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 2 inches |
| Maximum Width | 6 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 3 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Fleshy linear leaves that curl upward like a lotus flower |
| Growth Type | Loose upward-reaching rosette |
Also known as Pacific Blue Ice, this species is one that changes colors very drastically! For the majority of the year, the color tends to stay a frosty bluish-green with tiny cilia along the margins. What gives it the berry part of the Berry Blue name is that the leaves can also flush pink and purple. This makes the color changes fit the many different colors of cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and more. A pretty fitting name, isn’t it?
13. Grape Galaxy
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 4 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Upward curving linear leaves that transition from oval to pointed. |
| Growth Type | Open rosette |
This species is also known as Sempervivium ‘Blade of Steel’; however, I think the name Grape Galaxy fits this succulent perfectly. Most of the year, the leaves are a steely grey with a wine purple towards the center of the rosette. When stressed, the entire rosette can turn this wine color. The leaves are also rather interesting as they bend backward just enough to make the rosette look akin to a water lily.
14. Red Rubin
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 4 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Fleshy oval that transitions to a triangular shape; leaves curl outward from the center. |
| Growth Type | Loose rosette |
There was no way I could have a list without Red Rubin! This species has so many variations throughout the year, it’s hard to describe them all. The most prominent coloration is light green on older leaves, with younger leaves a beautiful red like a red robin. Some variants are going to have more red along the margins, and some of the whorled rosettes can also turn completely blackish red.
15. Amanda
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 6 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Inward curving slightly fleshy linear leaves with pointed tips |
| Growth Type | Open dense rosette |
S. 'Atropurpureum' x S. 'Mrs. Giuseppi' were crossed to achieve this stunner. Throughout the year, it looks as though the reddish coloration at the center of the rosette begins to spread out towards the tips of the leaves, alternating between green-tipped leaves and more red-tipped leaves. Perhaps my favorite time of year for this species is in the summer when the leaves are tipped with maroon and red, as well as gorgeous watermarks.
16. Lotus Blossom
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 6 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining, more grit |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Bi-weekly when the soil is dry |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Linear that comes to a gradual point |
| Growth Type | Mat forming open rosette |
No list of sempervivums is complete without at least mentioning Lotus Blossom. The specific species from Chick Charms is actually a registered species that is quite exclusive to their breeding programs. The most shocking thing about this plant is the coloration. The center of each leaf is crimson red which fades to a light barbie pink and then to white. There isn’t any green on the leaves until they are matured and about to fall off of the rosette. How insane is that?
17. Kramers Spinrad
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 4 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Fleshy webbed linear leaves that come to a tufted point. |
| Growth Type | Easily offsetting compact rosette |
As a hybrid of S. arachnoideum x S. 'Granat’, Kramer’s Spinrad is a species that combines the best of both worlds. Not only does it have the beautiful webbing found on arachnoideum species, but it also carries the gorgeous coloration of Granat. When young, the leaves stay green, but as the species matures, the leaves start to turn more orange-red with lime-green margins.
18. Black Rose
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 6 inches |
| Maximum Width | 8 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining, slightly sandy |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | white |
| Bloom Type | star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Sharply pointed and slightly fleshy lance-like leaves with cilia along the edges; leaves reach upward. |
| Growth Type | Dense rosette |
A cross between Purple King and Dark Cloud, Black Rose is a deeply colored species that is also known as Schwarze Rose. The leaves are more red towards the end, with hardly any green showing except for fully matured leaves. The species clumps easily, and the rosettes tend to stay compact. Depending on how many offsets surround the mother plant, the leaves will either grow outward slightly, or they can grow almost straight up.
19. Sempervivium kosaninii
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 3 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Fleshy oval that comes to a point |
| Growth Type | Whorled rosette |
It is sometimes so hard to find beautifully whorled rosettes that are less symmetrical and more of an interest to experienced collectors. Kosaninii is one such species of sempervivum. It is a naturally occurring species that does well in drought situations and shows off beautiful margins that are a wine red. Cilia cover the margins as well as some of the leaves, which can give this species a hairy look.
20. Royal Ruby
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 8 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Broad fleshy oval with a curled point |
| Growth Type | Open rosette |
There’s nothing like a patch of beautiful Royal Ruby sempervivum! They do change color like other sempervivums; however, at most, you will see a transition to whitish green at the ends of the leaves. However, the majority of the time, Royal Ruby maintains a crimson color that can, at times, seem a little more on the orange side.
21. Gold Rush
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 3 inches |
| Maximum Width | 6 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 5 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Fleshy linear leaves that curve to a point |
| Growth Type | Dense open rosette |
This is definitely a personal addition to this collection because, you guessed it, it is on the purchase list! Chick Charms has a series of Gold sempervivum, and out of all of them, Gold Rush is one of the most stunning available. The leaves transition from a deep burgundy at the base to a lemony yellow in the center, with terminal colors of light green and stunning red. The burgundy color can crawl higher along the leaves under more stress or dormant periods.
22. Watermelon Ripple
Buy it from:
| Maximum Height | 6 inches |
| Maximum Width | 8 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly when soil is dry |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Partial sun but best in full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 3 and up |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Type | Star-shaped |
| Leaf Type | Fleshy oval that comes to a point |
| Growth Type | Lotus looking rosette |
Last but not least is a gorgeous species that definitely earned the name Watermelon Ripple. Rather than alternating colors or a deep pink-purple margin, the leaves of this species have a color gradient that is almost exactly like that of a watermelon. The base of the leaves is a deep reddish purple, with the tips of the leaves a lime green that can be mottled with darker green as well.