Guide to growing Live Forever - Sempervivum

Sempervivum are rosette forming hardy or half hardy annuals that range from 10 to 30cm in height.

They bloom from the start to middle of summer, and carry small stellar flowers of pink, red, yellow or white.

Their size makes them ideal for use in rock gardens and borders.

Some common names for Sempervivum include Live Forever, Houseleek and St. Patrick's Cabbage.

How to grow Live Forever

It is best to grow Live Forever and other Sempervivum from offsets as seed grown plants may not always be attractive.

When growing Live Forever from seeds outdoors then sow the seeds on the surface in the spring. They should be grown in a sunny part of the garden in a soil that is poor and dry.

If you plan to first grow Sempervivum species such as Live forever indoors then they can be sown in either spring or summer, it takes from two to 7 weeks for the Sempervivum seeds to germinate at a temperature of 20 to 28 degrees centigrade. The plants should be transplanted outdoors at a distance of 15cm (small Sempervivum varieties) to 30cm (larger species).

Caring for Live Forever

Sempervivum species such as live forever like dry soil, so water only when very dry. Once blooming has finished dead head the flowers. If you require more plants it is best to grow from offsets.