Cobweb Hens And Chicks

Cobweb Hens And Chicks (Sempervivum arachnoideum 'Cobwebs')

Cobweb Hens And Chicks is a tough, low-growing succulent perennial that brings crisp texture and bold detail to sunny gardens and containers. The tiny rosettes look like they have been dusted with spider silk, adding a clean, high-contrast pattern that stands out in gravel, stone, and drought-friendly designs. It spreads by producing offsets, so a small planting can quickly become a dense patch with very little maintenance. If you want reliable structure with minimal watering and year-round interest, this is an easy fit.

Distinctive Features

This sempervivum forms tight rosettes of pointed blue-green leaves connected by fine white threads that create the signature cobweb look. Plants spread by producing many offsets, building a low, mounded colony that can tuck into crevices and shallow soils where other plants struggle. In summer, mature rosettes can send up short stalks with starry pink to rose-pink flowers, and the flowering rosette declines afterward while surrounding offsets continue. The overall effect is neat, geometric, and durable, with strong texture even in small spaces.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun for best color, tight rosettes, and strong cobwebbing.
• Soil: Very well-drained, gritty soil, and it tolerates poor, rocky soils once established.
• Water: Low water needs after establishment, and let soil dry between waterings in containers.
• USDA Zones: 3 to 8.
• Mature Size: About 1 to 4 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches wide, spreading wider over time by offsets.
• Habit: Low, mat-forming rosettes that slowly spread into colonies.

Ideal Uses

• Rock Gardens: Tuck into sunny, fast-draining beds for durable texture and crisp patterning.
• Crevice Planting: Plant between stones and in wall pockets where shallow soil and sharp drainage are the norm.
• Edging: Line borders and paths with tidy rosettes that stay low and defined.
• Containers: Use in troughs and small pots where the cobweb detail can be enjoyed up close.
• Focal Point: Mass a small patch in a gravel bed so the white cobweb threads create a sharp, graphic moment.
• Groundcover: Fill sunny, dry spots with a living mat that holds its shape and resists heat.

Low Maintenance Care

• Drainage: Keep roots out of wet soil, since excess moisture is the fastest way to cause rot.
• Watering: Water sparingly once established, and avoid frequent light watering that keeps soil damp.
• Bloom Cleanup: Remove spent flower stalks and the old rosette after bloom if desired, letting offsets fill in.
• Grooming: Clear debris from the rosettes to keep the cobweb look clean and reduce trapped moisture.
• Propagation: Separate and replant offsets to expand coverage or start new pots.

Why Choose Cobweb Hens And Chicks?

• Signature Texture: Cobweb threading adds a distinctive look that feels curated and uncommon.
• Cold Hardy: Handles tough winters well when planted in well-drained soil.
• Drought Tolerant: Thrives in sunny, dry conditions with minimal supplemental water.
• Easy to Multiply: Offsets spread naturally, making it simple to fill gaps and build a colony.
• Generally Deer Resistant: Often avoided by deer and rabbits, especially compared to softer-leaved perennials.
• Container Friendly: Performs beautifully in troughs and small pots where drainage can be controlled.

Cobweb Hens And Chicks is at its best in full sun and sharp drainage, where it stays compact, textured, and resilient. Give it a gritty home and resist overwatering, and it will reward you with a durable, patterned mat that looks designed in every season.