sempervivum

[ sem-per-vahy-vuhm ]

noun

1. any of various succulent plants belonging to the genus Sempervivum, of the stonecrop family, having leaves in dense basal rosettes and a compact, flat-topped cluster of flowers, and including the houseleek, S. tectorum, and other commonly cultivated species.

sempervivum

/ ˌsɛmpəˈvaɪvəm /

noun

1. See houseleek

Word History and Origins

Origin of sempervivum¹

< New Latin: genus name, Late Latin sempervīvum houseleek, equivalent to Latin semper always + vīvum, neuter singular of vīvus alive, in reference to the plant's durable qualities

Word History and Origins

Origin of sempervivum¹

New Latin, from Latin sempervivus ever-living, from semper always + vivere to live

Example Sentences

As for the “mound,” one possibility is a rosette-shaped succulent, like Sempervivum, Rosularia or Jovibarba.

From Seattle Times

One way to reduce watering needs is to plant succulents such as agaves, sempervivum and sedums.

From Seattle Times

One way to reduce watering needs is to plant succulents such as agaves, sempervivum and sedums.

From Washington Post

Why didn’t I think to fill my pots with succulents as she did — plants such as Echeveria, Senecio, Sempervivum and even certain Sedum that deliver a long show with relatively little care?

From Seattle Times

“SemperVIVum, man. It’s like this flower that’s hard to kill. It kinda looked like a star inside a star inside a star.”

From Literature