Sempervivum ‘Silver Thaw’ is a striking, cold-tolerant houseleek prized for its silvery, frosted aesthetic and dense, clumping growth. This cultivar traces its origins to the European alpine regions where Sempervivum naturally evolved to withstand extreme temperature swings, intense sunlight, and long periods of drought. ‘Silver Thaw’ showcases this heritage beautifully, forming tight rosettes with fleshy, lanceolate leaves coated in fine hairs that create a distinctive “webbed” or “ice-dusted” appearance. As the seasons shift, the foliage transitions from cool silvery-green to soft pinks, light purples, or even a muted burgundy when exposed to cold, drought, or bright winter light.
Highly sculptural in form, this compact sempervivum typically reaches 5–15 cm in height and spreads 15–20 cm across, gradually forming a dense, ground-hugging mat via its abundant offsets. Each rosette is monocarpic, producing a tall pink flower spike once in its lifetime before naturally declining, allowing younger “chicks” to fill the space.
‘Silver Thaw’ thrives outdoors in Australia’s temperate and cooler regions, relishing full sun and gritty, free-draining soil that mimics its mountainous origins. Its exceptional frost tolerance—surviving temperatures down to around –26 °C—makes it ideal for rockeries, troughs, rooftop gardens, and containers that experience winter chill. Regular watering in the warm months is beneficial, but moisture must drain freely to avoid rot, especially during wet winters.
Low maintenance by nature, this cultivar seldom needs attention beyond removing spent rosettes and occasionally dividing vigorous clumps. Propagating the plentiful offsets is simple, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a resilient, textural succulent that offers year-round interest and dependable performance in outdoor settings.
Sempervivum 'Silver Thaw' plants for sale shown in 70mm pot. You will receive same or similar plants to those shown in images. Colours will vary depending on time of year and growing conditions.
First time customers... Please read our Shipping Guide, in top or bottom menu, before placing your order.
Please Note:
- All plants are sent bare rooted with no pots and soil, or minimum soil only.
- Due to the drying process necessary for sending plants through the mail, plants may look slightly different than images shown on our website.
- Some plants may look wrinkled when they arrive, or feel somewhat limp or soft to the touch. This is normal as they have been dried out for a number of days before shipping to avoid rotting in the mail.
- Succulents are very hardy plants and they will recover quickly. Please unpack them as soon as they arrive and follow the simple care instructions included with your order.
If you have any questions or concerns at all, please message us via our Facebook page at John & Norma's Succulents for the fastest response.