Cobweb Houseleek
Sempervivum arachnoideum
A charming alpine succulent known for its dense rosettes covered in fine, cobweb-like hairs.
The essentials at a glance
-
Watering
Every 14 days
-
Light
Full sun
-
Humidity
20–40 %
-
Temperature
-25–30 °C
How to care for your Cobweb Houseleek
Everything you need to keep your Cobweb Houseleek healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.
Cobweb Houseleek is a tough, cold-hardy succulent perfect for rock gardens, containers, or green roofs. Its rosettes are adorned with white, web-like filaments that protect the plant from harsh sun and mimic spider webs. It produces small offsets, leading to a sprawling colony. Flowers are pink and appear on mature rosettes, which then die back, making way for new growth.
Watering your Cobweb Houseleek
Every 14 days
Soak and dry thoroughly
How to know it needs water
- Soil completely dry
- Rosette looking slightly less turgid
How much light a Cobweb Houseleek needs
Full sun
Full sun to partial shade
- Direct sun tolerated
- 6 to 12 h a day
- Orientations that suit it
- South, South-east, South-west, East, West, North-east, North-west
Humidity and misting
20–40 %
Low Avoid misting to prevent rot; prefer dry air.
Feeding and fertiliser
Fertilize only sparingly, if at all, in spring for best health.
- Recommended feed
- None or very dilute low-nitrogen · 5-10-5
Repotting your Cobweb Houseleek
Every 24 months
Remove offsets, replant in well-draining soil.
- When
- Spring
- Potting mix
- Cactus and succulent mix
- Mix in
- perlite, pumice, coarse sand
The tell-tale signs
- Overcrowding in container
- Soil degradation
Pruning your Cobweb Houseleek
Remove spent flower stalks after blooming. Cut flower stalk at base; remove dead rosettes after blooming.
Through the year
Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 28 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 11 in the growing season.
- 25 J
- 21 F
- 14 M
- 11 A
- 11 M
- 11 J
- 11 J
- 11 A
- 13 S
- 17 O
- 22 N
- 28 D
Active growth · Days between waterings
Good to know
- The fine web-like hairs help protect against sun and retain moisture.
- Forms dense mats of rosettes, spreading by offsets ('chicks').
Frequently asked questions about the Cobweb Houseleek
How do you care for a Cobweb Houseleek?
Water it every 14 days. Give it full sun. Ideal humidity: 20–40 %. Ideal temperature: -25–30 °C. Soak and dry thoroughly
How often should you water a Cobweb Houseleek?
Every 14 days Soak and dry thoroughly How to know it needs water : Soil completely dry ; Rosette looking slightly less turgid.
How much light does a Cobweb Houseleek need?
Full sun Full sun to partial shade 6 to 12 h a day
Is the Cobweb Houseleek toxic to cats and dogs?
No, the Cobweb Houseleek is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.
Why are my Cobweb Houseleek leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.
When should you repot a Cobweb Houseleek?
Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring. Remove offsets, replant in well-draining soil.
At a glance
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Category
- Succulent
- Placement
- Outdoor
- Mature height
- 10 cm
- Growth
- Slow
- Temperature
- -25–30 °C
- Pot materials
- terracotta, ceramic
- Growth
- Reaches maturity in 3 years
These figures are for an average plant. In the app they are recalculated for yours, based on your room, its orientation and the season.
And for your plant, in your home?
In the app this plant becomes yours: a watering schedule tuned to your home, health tracking from photos, and reminders at the right moment.
