Data specific to Sempervivum (Edit)
Hybrid: Yes
Hybridizer: HELEN E. PAYNE
Country of Origin: (US) United States
Year of registration: 1969
Other Details: Originally named Ruby Glow in1969, but renamed 'Carmen' in 1971
Size: Large - 4" to 9"
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: Watermarks
Other: She can be a beauty. Develops a large rosette of bright green leaves with red on base-leaves & brown accents.
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
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 4a -34.4 °C (-30 °F) to -31.7 °C (-25 °F)
Leaves: Evergreen
Flowers: Showy
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
Also sold as:
  • BigSam™ Chrome Green

Photo Gallery
Location: South Jordan, Utah, United States
Date: 2018-08-06
Location: South Jordan, Utah, United States
Date: 2018-08-17
Location: Kalama, Wa.
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: South Jordan, Utah, United States
Date: 2018-04-07
Location: Berlin MD
Date: April 2019
Sempervivum Carmen
Location: Willamette Valley Oregon
Date: 2014-04-02
Location: South Jordan, Utah, United States
Date: 2018-06-04
Location: South Jordan, Utah, United States
Date: 2020-04-11
Location: Medina, TN
Date: 2013-03-09
Sempervivum 'Carmen'
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: 2014-06-20
Location: KALAMA WA
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Kalama, Wa.
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: 2016-03-16
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: 2014-06-20

Date: 2015-02-24
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: 2014-06-20
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: Jul 29, 2012
Location: My garden in Lenore, ID
Date: 5-12-2015
Location: Medina, TN
Date: 2013-03-09
Sempervivum 'Carmen' - side view

5/14/2011 PNW, zone 8
Location: Willamette Valley Oregon
Date: 2014-04-02
Location: Pacific Northwest, zone 8
Date: May 27, 2013

There are 19 more images of this plant. Click to view them.

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Comments:
  • Posted by valleylynn (Oregon City, OR - Zone 8b) on Sep 3, 2014 5:01 PM concerning plant:
    S. 'Carmen' leaves are long and moderately wide. In hot weather the rosettes have faint to moderate watermarks that are lovely against its summer green color. It is a heavy producer of offsets and has good uniformity of form to the rosettes.
    I find that it handles both heavy winter/spring rain, and hot summer drought season in my Pacific Northwest raised beds.
    It is green year round, but does change the shade of green depending on the season. From fall to early summer it has lovely reddish/brown accents to the tips and sides of the leaves that make a pretty contrast to the green leaves.
  • Posted by clintbrown (Medina, TN - Zone 7b) on Mar 9, 2013 1:35 PM concerning plant:
    Sempervivum 'Carmen' can form huge rosettes.

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