Description Sempervivum 'Averil' Care Guide FAQ/Common Issues Sempervivum 'Averil' is a cold hardy succulent in the Crassulaceae family, native to the mountains of Europe and parts of Asia. Also called hens and chicks for its clustering rosette habit, 'Averil' has grown in rocky alpine terrain for centuries and brings that same toughness to gardens and containers everywhere. 'Averil' forms tight, symmetrical rosettes with fleshy leaves in green and burgundy tones, edged with fine silvery cilia that catch the light. The rosettes multiply freely, sending out offsets that cluster around the mother plant in an ever-expanding colony. Individual rosettes typically reach two to four inches across, though the clustering habit fills containers and rock gardens wider with each passing season. Like all sempervivums, each rosette is monocarpic, meaning it blooms once and then gives way to its surrounding offsets, ensuring the colony carries on. 'Averil' is pet friendly and safe to keep around cats and dogs. Move 'Averil' outside for summer and it stays out well into autumn. It handles balcony wind and rain with ease, making it a natural choice for containers and rock gardens. You can leave it up to ten days without water. It tolerates the dry heated air of winter interiors. As a genuine frost tolerant succulent, 'Averil' overwinters outdoors across a wide range of climates without any extra protection. Sempervivum 'Averil' grows well in partial sun to full sun, getting four or more hours of direct light daily. Water it deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings, roughly every ten to fourteen days indoors. 'Averil' performs best in a fast-draining succulent or cactus mix blended with extra perlite or grit to prevent root rot. It tolerates a wide range, from about 65-80°F in summer down to frost-hardy lows, surviving well below 32°F. 'Averil' grows at a moderate pace and rarely needs fertilizer, though a light balanced feed in spring can encourage offset production. It is hardy in USDA zones 3-8, tolerating winter temperatures as low as -40°F in the coldest zones. It grows outdoors year-round across Alaska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico without winter protection. Q: Is Sempervivum 'Averil' pet friendly? A: Yes. It is non-toxic and safe for cats and dogs. Q: Can it handle neglect during travel? A: Sempervivum 'Averil' can survive ten days or longer without water due to its drought tolerance and succulent leaves. Q: How big do individual rosettes of 'Averil' get? A: Rosettes typically reach two to four inches across, with the clustering colony expanding wider over time. Q: What happens if it doesn't get enough light? A: 'Averil' may become pale without adequate sun exposure. Move it to a location with at least four hours of direct light daily. Q: Can 'Averil' be propagated easily? A: Yes. Offsets, or chicks, form naturally around the mother rosette and can be detached and potted once they develop their own small roots. Q: Does it need protection outdoors in winter? A: No. 'Averil' is hardy to -40°F and overwinters in USDA zones 3-8 without any cover or special care.
