x Semponium 'Darwin'

Surreal hybrid
Rare and unusual

x Semponium 'Darwin'

Name: x Semponium 'Darwin'
Brand: Surreal Succulents
SKU: A702-darwin
Rating: 5.0 (6 reviews)

£29.50

At a glance

Light: Full sun5+ hours of sun
Lowest temperature: 2°C Keep it frost free
Mature size: 40 cm x 40 cm Height x width
Growability: BeginnerWhat this means

Where it grows best and how to care for it

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What arrives

Sent by Royal Mail, with tracking
Unless stated otherwise, grown in a 6cm pot and around 5-7cm wide. Size guide
Sent bare-root, so it travels safely. Why we ship without pots and soil
Packed without plastic, apart from the plant label
Grown at our nursery in Cornwall and picked by hand for your order

The plant you receive may not look exactly like the photos.

This Surreal hybrid x Semponium is a completely new and groundbreaking cultivar, very different to our other Semponium releases. Released 11/04/2025.

This unique variety was bred by Daniel Michael of Surreal Succulents. It is a clever and unusual cross of the huge species Aeonium nobile and a favourite of ours Sempervivum 'Pink Puff'.

Named after Daniel’s family dog, Darwin. As pictured.

This plant was revealed upon the awarding of the Reginald Cory Memorial Cup 2025, won by Daniel Michael.

This cross has resulted in a compact growth form and a deep red/ burgundy colouration, which is unique among Aeoniums. Rather than breeding the dark colour from Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf', this colouration has been introduced by the Sempervivum 'Pink Puff', making this the first time a red colouring has been introduced into an Aeonium other than using 'Schwarzkopf'! This makes this a very rare and interesting cross.

It will reach the stature of the nobile while staying slightly more compact. It will offset if given the chance to with fresh compost and a feed, unlike the single headed nobile.

We have noticed that the leaves become wavy as the plant matures. We have also found out that this plant matures very fast, reaching full maturity and flowering in as little as 3 years, similar to other Semponiums.

We have yet to see one flower but we imagine it to be one of the most beautiful flowers of the succulent world due to the noblie heritage and Sempervivum flower size and shape. We have two coming into flower at the moment and we will be showing this to you as soon as they do!

We send everything by Royal Mail, and you'll get tracking updates once your order is on its way.

Standard: we send your order within 3 working days by Tracked 48, so it takes 3 to 5 days to arrive.

Super Express: order before 2pm on a working day and it goes out the same day by Tracked 24, arriving in 1 to 2 working days.

Our packaging is 100% plastic-free. The plant label is the only plastic in the box.

Your plants travel bare-root, nested carefully in the packaging.

Light

Full sun

5+ hours of sun

Full shade
Partial shade
Full sun

Lowest temperature

2°C

Keep it above 2°C, so it needs protecting from frost.

2°C

Good places to grow it

In the ground
Patio
Conservatory

Growability: Beginner
Growth form: Singular rosette
Growth rate: Fast
Mature size (H x W): 40 cm x 40 cm
Foliage colour: Green, Red

Customer reviews

On arrival

Unpacking and planting

x Semponium 'Darwin' is delivered bare-root and will need time to establish in its new pot. Unpack it carefully, remove the protective material and check that the leaves, stems and roots have arrived in good condition.

Plant x Semponium 'Darwin' in the compost recommended in this guide and spread the roots into a natural position rather than folding or forcing them into the pot. If x Semponium 'Darwin' has a length of healthy bare stem, bury a suitable section of it in the compost for the best start. This will anchor the plant securely in its pot and encourage stronger root development. Stemmed Semponiums tolerate having part of their bare stem buried, but keep every leaf, branch junction and rosette above the compost surface. Tap the pot lightly on the potting bench several times to settle the mixture without pressing it down heavily by hand.

Wait five to seven days before watering. This resting period allows small root injuries caused during lifting and transport to dry, reducing the risk of rot. After this, water lightly while the roots establish. Begin the normal watering routine once the plant is firmly rooted and showing healthy growth.

Keep x Semponium 'Darwin' in a bright, sheltered position during establishment. Protect it from intense midday sunshine for the first week, then introduce it gradually to the recommended light conditions. Temporary softness or the loss of a few older leaves is normal while the root system recovers.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Watering

Water x Semponium 'Darwin' thoroughly, making sure the entire root area is moistened and all excess water can escape through the drainage holes. Allow the compost to dry out completely before watering again. Follow our 3 D's method: drench, drain and dry.

Like their Aeonium parent, Semponiums do most of their growing in the cooler, brighter parts of the year, particularly spring and autumn. Rather than following a fixed timetable, always judge watering by how dry the compost actually feels, thoroughly drenching and then letting it dry out completely between waterings. For plants grown outside in large pots or in the garden over summer, it is best to rely on natural rainfall.

Keep x Semponium 'Darwin' considerably drier during very hot spells, when it may pause growth to see out the heat, and reduce or stop watering altogether once conditions turn frosty. We recommend watering in the morning so excess moisture has time to drain and evaporate before temperatures fall overnight.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Light and position

Provide x Semponium 'Darwin' with Full Sun - 5+ Hours of Sun. Suitable positions can include In the Ground, Patio, and Conservatory. Semponiums develop their best colour in bright light and full sun, which also keeps the rosettes tight and well-formed; in dull conditions the leaves tend towards plain green.

Avoid dark rooms or positions far from a window. Insufficient light causes stretched stems, loose rosettes and weak new growth. Rotate pot-grown plants regularly so every side receives an even amount of light.

Introduce x Semponium 'Darwin' to stronger sunshine gradually after winter, delivery or a period under cover. Sudden exposure can scorch foliage that has not adjusted to direct light. Provide temporary shade during intense heatwaves if the leaves begin to mark.

Compost and drainage

Semponiums must have a free-draining mix to thrive. Like their Aeonium parent, a simple blend of roughly 60% multi-purpose compost and 40% grit or perlite works well, giving excellent drainage and allowing air to circulate through the roots; a general succulent mix bulked out with extra grit or perlite works equally well. Always choose a pot with unrestricted drainage holes.

Select a container that is only moderately larger than the root system. Too much unused compost remains wet for longer and makes careful watering more difficult.

Terracotta is an excellent choice because its porous surface helps the compost dry evenly and allows air to reach the roots. A thin layer of horticultural grit around the plant also keeps lower leaves away from damp compost.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural grit perlite

Feeding

A fresh soil mix should contain enough nutrients to support x Semponium 'Darwin' for roughly its first growing season. After the first year, begin feeding with a standard all-purpose or slow-release fertiliser, watering in a balanced soluble feed around every two months while the plant is actively growing.

Apply feed when the compost is already moist, preferably shortly after watering. This helps distribute the nutrients around the roots and reduces the risk of damage from concentrated fertiliser.

Stop feeding during summer dormancy and prolonged cold weather. x Semponium 'Darwin' cannot make effective use of additional nutrients while growth is paused, and soft new growth is more vulnerable to rot and frost damage.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Winter care

The recorded minimum temperature for x Semponium 'Darwin' is 2°C. Despite being bred from the very hardy Sempervivum, the hardiness trait did not carry through to the x Semponiums, and they have so far only proven reliable to around -4C, much like the Aeonium side of their parentage. They are tougher than a typical Aeonium but are not fully frost-hardy, so treat them as tender and protect according to the recorded figure.

Move container-grown plants into a bright, airy and sheltered position before severe frost, and keep them out of cold winter wet, which does as much damage as the cold itself. Keep the compost much drier during cold weather and use high-quality horticultural fleece during short cold spells.

Do not assume that every x Semponium can remain outside throughout a UK winter. Drainage, cultivar, plant maturity and the duration of frost all affect survival.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural fleece

Summer care

Extended heat can slow x Semponium 'Darwin' and cause the rosettes to tighten, although individual x Semponium cultivars do not all become as dormant as Aeoniums.

Check both the compost and the condition of the rosettes before watering. Reduce watering and pause feeding if growth has stopped, but do not leave a visibly active plant dry for a prolonged period.

Provide airflow and temporary afternoon shade during severe heat. Return to normal care as temperatures moderate and open growth resumes.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Repotting

Repot x Semponium 'Darwin' during spring when it becomes root-bound, unstable or too large for its container. Remove loose, tired compost and replace it with a fresh, free-draining mixture. Choose a new pot that is only moderately larger than the existing one.

Inspect the root system while the plant is out of its pot. Remove dead, hollow or rotten roots using clean snips, then leave any fresh cuts to dry before watering.

Keep the plant at its previous depth unless the profile specifically recommends otherwise. Burying healthy leaves or the growing point can trap moisture and encourage rot.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Common problems

Stretched stems, widely spaced leaves and loose rosettes usually indicate that x Semponium 'Darwin' needs more light. Move it gradually into a brighter position and rotate the pot regularly to encourage balanced development.

Soft stems, blackened tissue and sudden collapse are commonly associated with excess moisture, especially during cold weather or summer dormancy. Remove affected material and allow healthy tissue and compost to dry before watering again.

Older lower leaves naturally dry and fall as x Semponium 'Darwin' matures. As with their Aeonium parent, an individual Semponium rosette is generally monocarpic and dies back after it flowers, but a branching plant simply carries on through its remaining rosettes.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost