Data specific to Sempervivum (Edit)
Hybridizer: Ed Skrocki
Country of Origin: (US) United States
Year of registration: 1990
Size: Medium 2 1/2" to 4"
Soil type: Dry
Well draining
Loamy / Medium
Sandy / light
Other: The soil type will depend on what your weather conditions are like. Just make sure it drains well.
Foliage: Cilia: tiny
Other: Thick green leaves that feel like plastic. Soft pink center.
Water: Very low
Average
Does not like wet feet
Uses: Accent
Containers
Pests and Diseases: Pest resistant
Toxicity: Low risk
None
Possible skin irritant to some people

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Partial or Dappled Shade
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 4a -34.4 °C (-30 °F) to -31.7 °C (-25 °F)
Leaves: Evergreen
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Pink
Flower Time: Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Other: It may be several years before it blooms
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Provides winter interest
Groundcover
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Propagation: Seeds: Provide light
Stratify seeds: Stratifying seeds may improve germination, but is not required
Suitable for wintersowing
Sow in situ
Will not come true from seed
Propagation: Other methods: Offsets
Containers: Suitable in 1 gallon
Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: Monocarpic

Image
Common names
  • Hen and Chicks
  • Houseleek
  • Live-Forever

Photo Gallery
Photo by goldfinch4
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon 
Date: 2015-08-08
Location: Wisconsin
Date: 2012-03-19
Zone 4 Wisconsin
Location: My garden, zone 4 Wisconsin
Date: 2012-05-28
zone 4 Wisconsin
Location: South Jordan, Utah, United States
Date: 2020-05-28
Location: Zone 4 Upper Midwest
Date: 2011-09-17
Showing fall colors
Location: Doddridge Co. WV Zone 6a
Date: June 29, 2015
Location: My garden, zone 4 Wisconsin
Date: 2014-05-14
The container of Plastic was grown right next to the Plastic in t

Plastic
Location: Zone 4 Upper Midwest
Date: Jul 23, 2011
Location: Pacific Northwest
Date: 9/2/2011
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: Aug 28, 2012
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: May 27, 2013

Date: 2015-04-24
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: Jul 8, 2012
Location: My garden, zone 4 Wisconsin
Date: 2012-06-24
zone 4 Wisconsin

Date: 2015-08-26
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: 2014-06-21
Location: Lincoln NE zone 5
Date: 2017-05-27
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: Feb 20, 2013
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: Apr 10, 2013
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: Jan 23, 2013
Location: my garden zone 7b NC
Date: 2013-06-15
Location: Little garden of Big Dreams, Dayton KY
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: May 5, 2012 
Hail damage to leaves.
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon 
Date: 2015-07-23
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: Jun 29, 2012

Plastic

4-17-11 Upper Midwest Zone 4

5/7/2011 PNW, zone 8

6/6/2011 PNW, zone 8
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: 2014-10-16
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: Sep 29, 2012
Location: Zone 4 Upper Midwest
Date: Aug 20, 2011
Location: Zone 4 Upper Midwest
Date: Jun 16, 2011
Location: Willamette Valley Oregon
Date: 2014-02-22
This plant is tagged in:
Image

Comments:
  • Posted by valleylynn (Oregon City, OR - Zone 8b) on Oct 16, 2014 8:38 PM concerning plant:
    'Plastic' has proved to be a strong-growing sempervivum that stays healthy year round, in drought and in months of heavy rain.
    I also found out that the bloom's size is a bit larger than many semp blooms, and the petals of the bloom are rather thick and tough feeling, almost like plastic.
  • Posted by goldfinch4 (Ripon, Wisconsin) on Sep 25, 2011 1:17 PM concerning plant:
    Great name for this plant - it does indeed look like it's made out of plastic!

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