Sempervivum 'Red Pluche'

Sempervivum ‘Red Pluche’ (also sold as ‘Red Peluche’) is a distinctive, cold-hardy “Hens & Chicks” succulent prized for its fuzzy, frosted appearance and rich seasonal coloration. Compact and eye-catching, this variety features icy red rosettes with contrasting lime-green centers, made even more dramatic by its thick coating of silvery hairs. Tough, drought-tolerant, and easy to grow, it’s an excellent choice for both beginners and collectors.

Common Name: Red Pluche Hens and Chicks
Botanical Name: Sempervivum ‘Red Pluche’ (syn. ‘Red Peluche’)

Physical Characteristics

• Foliage: Small, tight rosettes with burgundy to chocolate-red outer leaves and bright lime-green centers

• Texture: Thick, silvery fuzz (cilia) along leaf margins and tips, creating a unique icy, frosted look

• Size: Rosettes remain compact, typically under 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall and wide

• Flowers: Summer-blooming; chartreuse flowers borne on short stalks; flowering rosettes are monocarpic but offsets continue the colony

Plant Care

• Light: Full sun to partial shade; bright light intensifies red coloration and enhances silvery hair development

• Hardiness: Extremely frost-hardy; suitable for USDA Zones 5–10; tolerates temperatures down to approximately –20°F (–29°C)

• Soil: Gritty, well-draining soil; ideal for cactus/succulent mixes and containers with drainage holes

• Water: Low water needs; drought-tolerant once established; water sparingly and only when soil is completely dry

• Propagation: Very easy; remove and replant offsets (“chicks”) produced on stolons around the parent rosette

Perfect For

• Rock and alpine gardens

• Cold-climate succulent collections

• Decorative troughs and small containers

• Mixed fuzzy or textured succulent arrangements

• Xeriscaping and low-water landscapes

• Pollinator-friendly gardens (flowers attract bees and butterflies)

• Pet-safe gardens and households

Image 2 by Sempervivum Liste user T. Hilk