Spider plant (Sempervivum arachnoideum)

La spider plant It is very curious and is that inside each rosette of leaves there are numerous hairs, which could well be confused with those of a spider's web. To this particularity must be added another that, without a doubt, is of great interest to those who want to cultivate it: its rusticity.

It resists the cold very well, as well as the frosts, reason why it grows without problems in the outside in all the temperate regions of the world. But although it is not difficult to take care of, certain things must be taken into account that we will explain below.

Origin and characteristics of the spider plant

It is a crass or non-cactus succulent whose scientific name is Sempervivum arachnoideum. It is popularly known as spider evergreen, cobweb evergreen, and spiderweb everlasting, as well as of course spider plant. It grows wild in the Alps, Apennines and the Carpathians.

If we talk about its size, grows about 8 centimeters tall by 30 centimeters wide, forming rosettes of more or less triangular green or reddish leaves depending on the variety. In summer (towards the month of July in the northern hemisphere) pink flowers sprout which are hermaphroditic.

As a curiosity, to say that the Royal Horticultural Society awarded him the Diploma of Merit (you can consult it here).

How do you take care of it?

The spider plant is not difficult to maintain. Its rapid growth and its rusticity make it one of the most recommended for those who want to enter, on the right foot, in the world of succulents. Also, if what you are looking for is one that hardly requires maintenance, this is one of your best options.

That said, let's see what care needs to be taken so that it grows properly:

Location

Place your Sempervivum arachnoideum in an area a little protected from direct sun, for example on a window ledge facing northeast. This is especially important if you live in a place with a high degree of insolation or where the temperatures in summer exceed 30ºC, since in this way it is possible to avoid that its leaves burn.

I do not recommend having it indoors, since the light is not always enough, and it is also a plant that needs to feel the passage of the seasons.

Earth

• Flower pot: the pot to be used must be wider than it is deep, and have some holes in its base so that the water can come out when it is watered. As a substrate you can use a mixture of black peat with perlite in equal parts.
• Garden: the spider plant is quite small, but if it is planted in groups, and since it tends to form them, with time it can become a beautiful rockery. Of course, the earth must be light, porous. It grows well in stony soils.

Irrigation

Irrigation must be moderate. It is not a plant that resists drought as well as a Haworthia, but you do not have to be too aware of it. In fact, watering is recommended when the substrate or soil has lost its moisture.

At the time of re-moistening it, you have to pour water until it comes out through the holes in the container, or until the earth has been very moist.

Subscriber

In spring and summer you can pay your Sempervivum arachnoideum with a liquid fertilizer for cacti and other succulentsYes, following the instructions on the package, otherwise there would be a risk of overdose. If you prefer, use organic fertilizers, such as guano or compost.

Multiplication

It is a plant that multiplies by seeds, but more frequently by suckers in spring and until the end of summer:

Seeds

To multiply it by seeds you have to sow them in pots that are wider than they are tall, filled with universal substrate mixed with perlite for instance. Lay them on the surface and don't bury them too deep, just enough that the wind can't carry them away.

Then place the seedbed outside, in a place protected from the sun, and keep the substrate moist. If it goes well, they will germinate in about 20-30 days.

Young

The multiplication by suckers is fast. All you have to do is choose the sucker you want to separate, dig up its roots a little, and then plant it in a single pot. From there, you have to take care of it like the mother plant.

Plagues and diseases

The spider plant does not usually have pest or disease problems. However, if the summer is hot and dry, it is not necessary to rule out possible attacks of mealybugs, which are eliminated with a small brush and water with a few drops of soap.

During the rainy season, keep it protected from snails and slugs, as these animals like to feed on the succulent shoots.

Rusticity

El Sempervivum arachnoideum it resists the cold as well as the frosts of until the -7ºC.

What did you think of this plant?