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Succulent?

RoseVillaRoseVilla Posts: 22
in Plants
 I’m on a walk and have seen this for sale at the end of someone’s driveway, I’m guessing it’s a succulent of some kind but I’m not too sure which one Google brings up far too many different pictures! Does anyone know off the top of their head which one are is?
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  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    Hi, I'd say it's a houseleek, or sempervivum. They grow in well-drained soil, the grittier the better, preferably full sun and when happy they will flower. The rosette then dies, but little offsets will have grown around it to replace it. 

    Good to grow in terracotta pots, stone troughs etc. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,366
    Or is it an Echeveria? I can never tell the difference! If it is, they aren't as hardy as the sempervivums, but if it's out on a drive for 'taking' it's probably fine where you are @sophie.m.h.ewerQ7SXc_2z  :)
    Perhaps @wild edges could clarify . He grows lots of them, of all types. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 2,672
    Think it looks a bit "fat" for sempervivum - more like an Echeveria which as per @Fairygirl says tend to be less hardy.  Mine stay out all winter ( SW ) but are well sheltered. 
  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    Possibly an over-cosseted houseleek. It reminds me of the photo of such a one on a post recently.

    Here's an echiveria, kept in a cold greenhouse.
    And a houseleek, fat but not cosseted, growing vertically in my drystone wall.
    There must be a way to identify them, but I don't know what it is!


  • RoseVillaRoseVilla Posts: 22
    Thanks for your advice so far. Do you think it could be this one?

    I’m a bit unsure whether to take plants from the end of peoples drives now LOL I think they wanted a couple of pound for it. I don’t like Not knowing what it is plus I’m worried it might die

     
  • RoseVillaRoseVilla Posts: 22
    Woodgreen said:
    Possibly an over-cosseted houseleek. It reminds me of the photo of such a one on a post recently.

    Here's an echiveria, kept in a cold greenhouse.
    And a houseleek, fat but not cosseted, growing vertically in my drystone wall.
    There must be a way to identify them, but I don't know what it is!


    I have posted my own reply but I wanted to ask you what over cosseted means! Also I did download an app to identify nature but it said my picture wasn’t good enough to identify it! It’s a pretty useless app I used it before and I had the same trouble
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,757
    Looks like a Sempervivum which has been grown in too rich soil. They become oversized and fleshy.  It makes them flower more quickly and then they die.  
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 1,986
    Sempervivums can be attractive plants in pots or troughs but, over winter, unless kept dry, they tend to die back around the edges and then look scruffy.  I have mixed feelings about them.  There are much nicer plants to cheer up your garden!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.
  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    Hi @sophie.m.h.ewerQ7SXc_2z
    By over-cosseted I mean what KeenOnGreen said, grown in too rich a soil.
    It does resemble both a houseleek or the echeveria in the photo you posted.
    You could give it some grittier soil, grow it under cover but in good light then if it flowers -- you'd know! 
    If you do buy it, let us know please?
  • RoseVillaRoseVilla Posts: 22
    Woodgreen said:
    Hi @sophie.m.h.ewerQ7SXc_2z
    By over-cosseted I mean what KeenOnGreen said, grown in too rich a soil.
    It does resemble both a houseleek or the echeveria in the photo you posted.
    You could give it some grittier soil, grow it under cover but in good light then if it flowers -- you'd know! 
    If you do buy it, let us know please?
    Well after what people have said I’m not sure I want it just for it to die!!
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