Sempervivum arachnoideum (Cobweb Hen and Chicks) — Cold Hardy Succulent

Care guide for Sempervivum arachnoideum, the Cobweb Houseleek. Fine white webbing on rosettes, extreme cold hardiness, and outdoor rock garden tips. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: Small tight rosettes covered in fine white webbing — looks like spider webs stretched across the leaves. Extremely cold hardy — survives to -30F (-35C), making it suitable for nearly any climate. Produces many offsets (chicks) connected to the mother (hen) by stolons — forms dense mats. Monocarpic: Individual rosettes die after flowering but offsets continue the colony indefinitely. Native to alpine regions of Europe — loves bright sun, rocky soil, and cold winters. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: The cobweb filaments are natural trichomes — they protect from UV and retain some moisture. Denser webbing develops in more sun — low-light plants have sparser webbing. One of the hardiest succulents in existence — thrives in conditions that would kill most succulents. Perfect for outdoor rock gardens, green roofs, and alpine troughs in cold climates. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: Give full sun for the densest cobwebbing and tightest rosette form. Water sparingly — in ground, rainfall is usually sufficient. In pots, every 1-2 weeks in summer. Use very gritty well-draining soil — excellent in rock crevices and gravel gardens. Divide offsets anytime — they root easily and establish quickly in new locations. No winter protection needed — these thrive in freezing temperatures and snow. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

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