Succulent perennial of the Crassulaceae family, this species is native to Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, notably found in Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, and in the Pontic and adjacent steppe regions. It occupies sunny rocks, cliffs, and dry slopes with open vegetation, on varied substrates, at generally modest altitudes compared to alpine houseleeks.
The rosettes are medium-sized, composed of fleshy leaves, glaucous green to grayish green, often tinged with reddish-brown at the tips, with moderate glandular hairiness. The clumps develop by stolonization into loose to moderately dense cushions.
What immediately distinguishes S. ruthenicum from other cultivated houseleeks is the color of its flowers, pale yellow to yellow-green, streaked with brown-purple on the petals, with stamens bearing yellow anthers and greenish carpels. This creamy-yellow floral hue is rare in the genus and constitutes the most remarkable feature of the species. The flowering stems reach 15 to 25 cm.
In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from June to August. In cultivation, it generally occurs in July.
Culture in full sun, well-drained substrate, poor to moderately rich; hardy and accommodating, it deserves a place in any collection wishing to step outside the usual palette of pinks and purples of the genus.