The houseleek (Sempervivum) is an almost indestructible thick-leaf plant that can grow and thrive in seemingly the most extreme locations - provided it is sunny and dry there. The shallow-rooted, very species- and variety-rich plant requires little soil and care and adds greenery to rock gardens, walls, roofs and other unusual locations.
How do you properly care for houseleek plants?
Houseleek plants prefer a bright, warm and dry location with lean, well-drained soil. Rock gardens, walls or green roofs are ideal. Planting in spring, propagation by daughter rosettes or seeds, flowering period from June to August.
Which location do houseleeks prefer?
Basically, the houseleek feels at home wherever it is bright, warm and dry - the frugal plant prefers a sunny location.
Which soil should be used for houseleeks?
Most houseleeks simply don't care whether the substrate is alkaline or calcareous. The main thing is that the soil is nice and lean and permeable, then the mountain plant feels comfortable all around.
Where can houseleeks be planted? What original planting ideas are there?
Houseroots look very good in the rock garden, but also add greenery to walls or roofs. In addition, the small succulents can be wonderfully planted in the most unusual planters, as long as they have good drainage. Use groups of stones, old roof tiles, old crockery or similar and create an interesting eye-catcher by combining different home decor elements.
Can houseleeks also be cultivated indoors?
Sempervivum needs light, air and, above all, the winter cold. For this reason, the outdoor succulents are not suitable as houseplants, but can instead be grown very well in small planters on the windowsill or balcony.
When is the best time to plant houseleeks?
Container plants can generally be planted throughout the entire growing season, although the best time to plant is in spring.
At what distance should houseleeks be planted?
Since most houseleeks remain small, they can be planted quite close together. However, when purchasing, find out how large the desired species or variety can grow and what the ideal distance is for this variety.
Can houseleeks also be sown?
Houseleeks can be easily propagated from seeds as long as you have enough patience and sensitivity. The very fine seeds are best sown in small plant pots and placed outside over the winter. Houseleeks are cold germs.
How can houseleeks be propagated?
In principle, however, propagation via daughter rosettes is much easier than by sowing. These secondary rosettes are offshoots that can easily be separated from the mother plant and replanted.
When do houseleeks bloom?
Most houseleek species develop white, pink or yellow flowers between June and August. However, this only happens for the first time in specimens that are at least two to three years old. Rosettes that have faded can be cut away as they will then die. Houseleeks only bloom once, with the daughter rosettes continuing to grow.
Good and bad neighbors
Houseleeks can be combined very well with other flat-growing rock garden plants, for example with low sedum, saxifrage, thyme, pasqueflower, checkerboard flower or five-fingerwort.
Tip
When planting, mix a little bit of horn shavings or mature compost into the planting substrate, as the color of the rosettes will then intensify - but really only a little!
