Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 06:45 pm
Sempervivum Cosmic Candy is one of the most colorful succulents you can grow, which makes it perfect for your next project! It’s named after the color combination that resembles cosmic candy, and like its namesake, it has to be seen to be believed!
Not only do these succulents have an amazing array of colors and patterns, but they’re also incredibly versatile. You can grow them in many different ways to suit your every need!
Sempervivum cosmic candy plants are widely known as living stones, named after their resemblance to rocks. Also known as hens and chicks, these succulents come in a wide variety of colors and leaf shapes, which can be used to create an interesting and unique landscape design in your garden or around your home.
However, like most other succulents, they require very specific care in order to thrive and grow into healthy plants that produce flowers and have strong roots.
Origin and distribution
Sempervivum cosmic candy, known as hens and chicks, is a large genus of small rosette-forming succulents. This adorable miniature succulent is native to Eastern Europe. They are found in rock crevices and on rocky mountainsides. Over 200 species of Sempervivum have been identified worldwide.
Sempervivum cosmic candy grows very well indoors, in full or partial sun, and with good drainage. It’s important that they be kept dry during winter dormancy. It’s also important that they be kept warm during winter dormancy; they can go into shock if temperatures drop below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C).
During the summer months, when temperatures rise above 85 degrees F (30 degrees C), it’s best to keep them outdoors in shade.
Sempervivum cosmic candy propagation
Sempervivum propagation is relatively simple. Plants can be divided from their roots during spring or summer. The best time to transplant Sempervivum cosmic candy is in early fall (late August or September).
But if there’s no chance of frost, you can propagate your Sempervivum cosmic candy at any time of year by taking stem cuttings. For stem cuttings, take a 6-inch piece of stem with two leaves on it and stick it into moist potting soil. Make sure that both leaves are facing up.
After a few weeks, little plants will start growing out of the top of each leaf. If you want to speed up plant growth, place them under fluorescent lights for 12 hours per day until they have rooted completely. Once they have rooted completely, keep them under lights for 8 hours per day until they are big enough to be planted outside in their permanent homes.
To root your plants under lights, you need light bulbs that emit either red or blue light; a rooting medium such as sphagnum moss; clear plastic cups; and paper towels. Fill one cup with about an inch of sphagnum moss. Poke holes in it using a pencil so that water can drain through easily. Stick 3-4 stems into the sphagnum moss so that all but 2 inches of stem are buried beneath it.
Sempervivum cosmic candy care information
Sempervivum cosmic candy care is straightforward and easy, as long as you remember to water them regularly. I like to think of them as my desert plants since they prefer dry climates.
Sempervivum cosmic candy can also tolerate small amounts of direct sunlight, but in general, should be kept out of the direct sun most of the time to prevent rot from forming on their leaves.
Light requirement
Sempervivum cosmic candy prefers full sun to partial shade. These plants prefer light-dappled shade but can tolerate full sun in warmer climates. Plants grown in too much shade will become thin and leggy. In bright sunlight, leaves may scorch or burn. In very hot summers with no rain, these plants may need to be watered every few days.
Soil/potting mix
Sempervivum cosmic candy prefers loose, fast-draining soil with good drainage is best, but any soil will do. A sempervivum will also grow in a rock garden.
Sempervivum needs good drainage, and they do best in a sandy, cactus potting mix. I like to use a 50/50 mix of perlite and pumice. That being said, if you want to stick with organic materials you can use one or two handfuls of compost instead. Just make sure it drains well.
Watering
Sempervivum cosmic candy requires infrequent watering. When planted in a container with good drainage, never let your succulents sit in water for long periods of time. Overwatering can rot roots and kill your plants. Succulents should be watered when they begin to feel dry to avoid root rot.
It is best to use rain or distilled water as it contains no chemicals that could damage your plant’s leaves. If you don’t have access to distilled water, allow tap water to sit out overnight so that most of the chlorine evaporates before using it on your plants.
Use only room temperature or warm water on your succulents; cold water will shock them and cause leaves to fall off.
Fertilizer
Sempervivum cosmic candy needs a balanced diet of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) as well as other nutrients to stay healthy. Fertilizers are measured by how much of each nutrient they deliver per unit of weight.
Because we were adding all these nutrients at once, we didn’t have to worry about adding too much or not enough, the balance was always perfect with less chance for error.
Temperature
The Sempervivum cosmic candy needs a temperature between 8 and 16°C (46 to 61°F). The ideal temperature is 12°C (53.6°F). A few days above 20 degrees Celsius can cause mild damage to your plant. If you live in an area with cold winters, keep it under glass until all danger of frost has passed.
After that, it will be able to withstand temperatures down to -10 degrees Celsius (14°F) for short periods of time. If you live in an area with hot summers, make sure there’s plenty of shade or air circulation around your plant so it doesn’t overheat!
Humidity
Set your houseplants on top of pebbles in a shallow tray filled with water, so that they get some humidity from it as well. Simply place a few stones in a flat dish and add an inch or two of water. (You’ll want to change out about half of it every week).
Then put your plants in there, cover them with plastic bags, to keep bugs out, and replace those every few days until you’re sure all of them are gone.
The ideal humidity range for your Sempervivum cosmic candy is 40 to 60 percent. To measure it, use a hygrometer, which you can buy at any hardware store. It’s easy to calibrate and will last for years.
Pruning
The initial decision about pruning has already been made for you by Sempervivum, as your plants will be shaped into mounds or small rosettes. However, in terms of ongoing care, there are a few things to keep in mind; As with all succulents and cacti, it’s important to ensure that your sempervivums receive adequate drainage.
If they sit in water, they can develop root rot; if they don’t have enough drainage holes, their roots may dry out. It’s also a good idea to protect them from heavy winds, the stems can break easily if they get too much wind exposure (and even if they don’t break off completely, wind damage can cause unsightly browning).
Sempervivum cosmic candy tend to grow best when planted in sandy soil with good drainage; organic matter such as compost is helpful but not necessary.
When to repot
Sempervivum cosmic candy plants grow quickly and will outgrow their containers if not repotted regularly. Check to see if your plant has roots emerging from the drainage holes. If so, it’s time to move up a size. The soil should still be slightly damp and easily shaken from your pot when you’re ready to transplant.
When moving sempervivums, take care not to damage their delicate root systems. To remove them from pots, gently tap on one side of the container until they loosen and can be removed with minimal disturbance.
After transplanting, water thoroughly but don’t overwater; sempervivums like dry conditions once they are established in new pots.
Dormancy/Winter rest
Before planting, make sure to provide plants with a period of dormancy. In wintertime, when light is decreased and temperatures are at their lowest, sempervivums go into a state of inactivity called rest (sometimes also referred to as winter rest or vegetative rest).
It is necessary that your plant goes through a short period of dormancy (about two months) before resuming active growth again. This can be achieved by either placing it in a cool dark place or by simply withholding water during these two months.
During dormancy, water will not be lost from leaves due to evaporation, but rather because of osmosis: water molecules travel from areas where they are plentiful (the soil) to areas where they are less plentiful (the plant cells). The result is that plants do not lose too much water during dormancy.
Sempervivum cosmic candy flower & fragrance
The flowers are narrow, 6–10 mm long, with a very strong sweet scent. Cultivated plants bear red flowers but usually lack fragrance. The cultivar ‘Roseum’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Like many other succulents, it is cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and containers because of its attractive appearance and ability to survive extreme conditions. It is used in rock gardens and container plantings.
Growth rate
This kind of hoya is very slow-growing. It produces large leaves that can grow up to 12 inches long, but it will take them years to fill out and bloom. If you have patience and are willing to prune away all non-flowering stems, then you’ll be rewarded with a large, beautiful, fragrant flower every few years. It’s generally recommended to keep it in a small pot so that it won’t become rootbound.
Toxicity
In large doses, Sempervivum cosmic candy succulents can be toxic to dogs and cats. Fortunately, these little guys are pretty safe and can provide hours of entertainment without any side effects! If you have pets, try to keep all plants out of reach. There are some houseplants that can be toxic to your pets as well; check out our Pet Poison Helpline directory for more information on keeping your home safe!
USDA hardiness zones
Sempervivum cosmic candy thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. If you live outside of these zones, consider planting your sempervivum in a container to move it indoors during the winter months.
This will also allow you to bring it inside for special occasions and holidays. Sempervivum does not need much light, so feel free to place them on a table or shelf that receives some indirect sunlight throughout the day.
Pests and diseases
The good news is that sempervivums are pretty hardy. They’re tough enough to survive frost and cold weather, in fact, some varieties will often grow more under those conditions.
They don’t need much maintenance, but there are a few pests and diseases you’ll want to watch out for. Fungus gnats can be a problem when plants get too wet, so drainage is important.
Aphids like to feed on new growth, so keeping an eye on your plant will help you catch infestations early. And slugs and snails love these succulents as well; it’s best to keep them away from sempervivums by using slug bait or copper tape around your garden beds.
Conclusion
To sum up, Sempervivum Cosmic Candy is a fun houseplant that lights up any room it’s in. The best part is that it’s surprisingly easy to grow. You’ll want to make sure you have adequate light, but if you do, you should be rewarded with colorful blooms and a vibrant plant that adds life to any room.
