The houseleeks are a genus of plants from the thick-leaved family. There are numerous species and many more varieties - many are very rare and only occur in a few places in nature. It is impossible to say exactly how many species there are and, depending on the author, there are between 40 and over 200 different species. However, there are more than 7000 different Sempervivum varieties.
What types of houseleek are there?
Houseleek species are diverse and range from the true houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum) to the cobweb houseleek (Sempervivum arachnoideum) to the serpentine houseleek (Sempervivum pittonii). They differ in size, flower shoots, flower colors and soil preferences and are suitable for a wide variety of locations.
Houseroots for every location
Basically, houseleeks like sunny and dry locations with poor soil, but there are special houseleek species for certain conditions. Some houseleeks prefer calcareous soil, while others prefer slightly acidic or even more nutrient-rich soil. Due to the great diversity within the houseleeks, collectors have it easy: With the different colors and shapes, a wide variety of planting ideas can be realized.
Popular houseleek species
In the table below you will find a list of some well-known and popular houseleek species. In addition to the Sempervivum species listed, there are numerous hybrids.
| Houseleek species | Latin name | Rosettes | Flower shoots | Flower color | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real houseleek | Sempervivum tectorum | up to 20 cm in diameter | up to 60 cm high | pink, purple or white | forms the largest rosettes |
| Cobweb houseleek | Sempervivum arachnoidum | up to 2 cm | up to 18 cm | pink | cobweb-like hair in summer |
| Mountain houseleek | Sempervivum montanum | up to 8 cm, spherical | up to 50 cm | red | up to 10 cm long runners |
| Fringed houseleek | Sempervivum globiferum | very small | up to 35 cm | yellowish-white | also grows on acidic soils |
| Wulfen houseleek | Sempervivum wulfenii | up to 10 cm | up to 30 cm | yellow | very long leaves |
| Large-flowered houseleek | Sempervivum grandiflorum | large, dark green | up to 30 cm | yellow or white | Leaves are hairy |
| Lime houseleek | Sempervivum calcareum | green with red tips | up to 25 cm | white or pink | for calcareous soil |
| Dolomite houseleek | Sempervivum dolomiticum | up to 5 cm | up to 15 cm | red or purple | particularly undemanding |
| Serpentine houseleek | Sempervivum pittonii | flat, small, hairy | up to 20 cm | yellow | Rarity |
Tip
To plant the various houseleeks, it is best to use commercially available cactus soil (€12.00 on Amazon) or your own mixture of pot plant soil with a third of sand.
