The Sempervivum heuffelii ‘Blaze’ is a stunning, cold-hardy succulent celebrated for its fiery foliage that shifts through brilliant shades of red, orange, and green throughout the year. It’s perfect for gardeners seeking a vibrant yet low-maintenance plant that adds visual warmth even in the cooler seasons.
Native to mountainous areas of Central and Southeastern Europe, Sempervivum heuffelii 'Blaze' features thick, pointed leaves that radiate outward in perfect symmetry, along with rosettes up to 4 inches wide.
The foliage transitions beautifully through the seasons, beginning as deep green at the base, flushed with bronze and crimson at the tips, and later intensifying into fiery scarlet tones during cooler months.
In winter, the entire rosette may turn rich red, giving the plant a striking contrast against frost or snow. This dynamic color play makes ‘Blaze’ standout even when other plants are dormant.
At full maturity, Sempervivum heuffelii ‘Blaze’ can form dense mats up to 10 inches wide, providing a living carpet effect when grown in groups. The plant is evergreen in most climates, maintaining its form and color year-round.
In summer, mature rosettes may send up flower stalks, topped with small, star-shaped pink to light yellow flowers. As with all Sempervivums, the rosette that blooms will die after flowering, but the surrounding offsets quickly fill in the space, ensuring the cluster remains full and continuous.
When it comes to soil care, this variety thrives in well-drained soil. It prefers a “soak and dry” approach, water deeply, then allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. In the spring and summer, watering every 10–14 days is sufficient, while in fall and winter, watering can be reduced drastically or stopped entirely if rainfall is adequate. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems, so well-draining soil is crucial to prevent root rot.
When growing indoors, it should be placed in a bright, sunny window, ideally one that receives 6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily. Insufficient light can lead to elongated, pale rosettes. Indoors, it prefers cool to moderate temperatures, ideally between 55–75°F.
Outdoors, it thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade in extremely hot climates.
This cultivar is exceptionally cold-hardy, performing best in USDA Zones 4–9 and capable of surviving freezing conditions as low as -20°F when planted in well-draining soil.
Pruning is rarely needed, simply remove any dead leaves around the base or spent rosettes after flowering to maintain a tidy appearance.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Sempervivum heuffelii ‘Blaze’ is a breathtakingly vibrant and durable succulent that lives up to its name with year-round color and resilience. Its ability to thrive in poor soil, withstand drought, and resist frost makes it an outstanding choice for rock gardens, succulent arrangements, or border accents. With minimal care and maximum visual impact, ‘Blaze’ is perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners who want a dependable, eye-catching plant that brings fiery beauty to any landscape or container garden.
Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features
- Description
- Key Plant Features
The Sempervivum heuffelii ‘Blaze’ is a stunning, cold-hardy succulent celebrated for its fiery foliage that shifts through brilliant shades of red, orange, and green throughout the year. It’s perfect for gardeners seeking a vibrant yet low-maintenance plant that adds visual warmth even in the cooler seasons.
Native to mountainous areas of Central and Southeastern Europe, Sempervivum heuffelii 'Blaze' features thick, pointed leaves that radiate outward in perfect symmetry, along with rosettes up to 4 inches wide.
The foliage transitions beautifully through the seasons, beginning as deep green at the base, flushed with bronze and crimson at the tips, and later intensifying into fiery scarlet tones during cooler months.
In winter, the entire rosette may turn rich red, giving the plant a striking contrast against frost or snow. This dynamic color play makes ‘Blaze’ standout even when other plants are dormant.
At full maturity, Sempervivum heuffelii ‘Blaze’ can form dense mats up to 10 inches wide, providing a living carpet effect when grown in groups. The plant is evergreen in most climates, maintaining its form and color year-round.
In summer, mature rosettes may send up flower stalks, topped with small, star-shaped pink to light yellow flowers. As with all Sempervivums, the rosette that blooms will die after flowering, but the surrounding offsets quickly fill in the space, ensuring the cluster remains full and continuous.
When it comes to soil care, this variety thrives in well-drained soil. It prefers a “soak and dry” approach, water deeply, then allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. In the spring and summer, watering every 10–14 days is sufficient, while in fall and winter, watering can be reduced drastically or stopped entirely if rainfall is adequate. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems, so well-draining soil is crucial to prevent root rot.
When growing indoors, it should be placed in a bright, sunny window, ideally one that receives 6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily. Insufficient light can lead to elongated, pale rosettes. Indoors, it prefers cool to moderate temperatures, ideally between 55–75°F.
Outdoors, it thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade in extremely hot climates.
This cultivar is exceptionally cold-hardy, performing best in USDA Zones 4–9 and capable of surviving freezing conditions as low as -20°F when planted in well-draining soil.
Pruning is rarely needed, simply remove any dead leaves around the base or spent rosettes after flowering to maintain a tidy appearance.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Sempervivum heuffelii ‘Blaze’ is a breathtakingly vibrant and durable succulent that lives up to its name with year-round color and resilience. Its ability to thrive in poor soil, withstand drought, and resist frost makes it an outstanding choice for rock gardens, succulent arrangements, or border accents. With minimal care and maximum visual impact, ‘Blaze’ is perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners who want a dependable, eye-catching plant that brings fiery beauty to any landscape or container garden.
