In favourable conditions they spread rapidly via offsets, and several species are valued in cultivation as groundcover for dry, sunny locations.

Their ability to store water in their thick leaves allows them to live on sunny rocks and stony places in the mountain, subalpine and alpine belts.

Morphologically, they are similar to the genera Jovibarba, Aeonium, Greenovia, Aichryson, and Monanthes, occurring mainly in Macaronesia (Azores, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira).

The name Sempervivum has its origin in the Latin semper ("always") and vivus ("living"), a calque of Ancient Greek ἀείζωον ("houseleek", literally "(the) forever-living (one)"), because this perennial plant keeps its leaves in winter and is very resistant to difficult conditions of growth.

Some Welsh people still hold the old folk belief that having it grow on the roof of the house ensures the health and prosperity of those who live there.

It cooleth and restraineth all hot inflammations St. Anthony's fire (Erysipelas), scaldings and burnings, the shingles, fretting ulcers, ringworms and the like; and much easeth the pain and the gout.

'[6] Although their subtropical cousins are very frost-sensitive, sempervivums are among the most frost-resistant succulents, making them popular garden plants.

[citation needed] Sempervivums also make suitable plants for containers, and do well in breathable terracotta, concrete, and cement pots.

They have also been known to grow in rock crevices, metal containers, succulent wreaths, roof shingles, and anywhere else that allows adequate root drainage.

[citation needed] The following species and cultivars - some of mixed or uncertain parentage - have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-[11]