Sempervivum 'King George'

Description Sempervivum 'King George' Care Guide FAQ/Common Issues   Sempervivum 'King George' is a cold hardy succulent from the houseleek family, native to the rocky alpine regions of Europe. This drought tolerant plant grows naturally in mountainous terrain where it roots into poor soils and tight crevices, growing well in conditions that challenge other succulents.   King George forms tight, symmetrical rosettes with thick fleshy leaves in grey-green with red tips and edges. Individual rosettes reach 3 to 4 inches across and multiply by producing offsets, gradually building dense mats of foliage. Each leaf tapers to a pointed tip and maintains a smooth texture.   It produces tall flower spikes in summer bearing star-shaped blooms in pink to reddish tones that echo the red-tipped foliage. The plant handles balcony wind and exposure without trouble, though winter rainfall can stress it outdoors, so provide shelter during the wettest months. You can leave it up to ten days without water.   King George excels in rock gardens, alpine troughs, and containers where drainage is guaranteed. It grows as a beginner succulent and tolerates the neglect that comes with travel, surviving outdoor conditions year-round in appropriate zones. The plant is non-toxic and safe around cats and dogs, and move it outside in summer or keep it outdoors through autumn without issue.   Sempervivum 'King George' grows in partial sun to full sun and adapts to lower light situations.   Water it deeply every 7 to 14 days, allowing soil to dry completely between waterings.   King George does best in well-draining cactus mix combined with perlite or pumice.   It prefers temperatures between 20 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and withstands frost easily.   King George grows slowly and requires no fertilizer, preferring the lean soil conditions of its alpine heritage.   It is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9 and tolerates frost down to 30 degrees below zero. It grows outdoors year-round across Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, and parts of California. It adapts to diverse climates from northern mountain regions to southern zones provided drainage remains sharp. Q: Is Sempervivum 'King George' safe for pets? A: It is non-toxic and safe for cats and dogs. Q: How big do the rosettes get? A: Sempervivum 'King George' forms individual rosettes 3 to 4 inches across, spreading outward as offsets develop around the mother plant. Q: Does King George need much light? A: It grows in partial sun to full sun but also adapts to lower light, so window placement is flexible. Q: Can this plant survive a winter outdoors? A: King George tolerates frost down to 30 degrees below zero and grows year-round in zones 3 through 9. Q: How much space does King George need to spread? A: The offsets spread slowly outward, eventually forming colonies, but each rosette stays compact at 3 to 4 inches. Q: What happens if the soil stays wet? A: Wet soil causes rot in succulents; always let it dry completely between waterings and ensure drainage is excellent.