Similar to strawberries, houseleeks (Sempervivum) reproduce via offshoots (so-called daughter rosettes) and seeds. And just like with the red fruits, the vegetative propagation of the thick-leaf plants is very easy, while growing them from seeds is not very promising.
How can houseleek plants be propagated?
Houseleek plants (Sempervivum) can be propagated either via daughter rosettes or seeds. Daughter rosettes can be easily separated and placed in a new planter. Propagation via seeds requires cold stimuli; they can then germinate in spring.
Propagate houseleeks via daughter rosettes
As a rule, the houseleek only flowers once and then dies off. However, this only applies to the flowering rosette, because the previously formed daughter rosettes ensure that the plant continues to live. Many houseleek species do not develop rosettes until the second year at the earliest, and some only after flowering. You can simply leave the rosettes where they are and let the plants continue to grow. However, if the new houseleeks are to be placed in another planter or transplanted to another location, you can proceed as follows:
- Carefully pull the rosettes apart with your fingers.
- Fill the desired planter with suitable soil
- or prepare the new location appropriately.
- Succulent or cactus soil is very suitable as soil,
- You can also mix the substrate yourself.
- Plant the new rosettes in there
- and water lightly.
- The plants will take root within a short time and without further care.
The ideal time for such a measure is spring or early summer, when the plants are already calibrated for strong growth.
Sowing houseleeks
Another option is to propagate houseleeks via seeds. Rare species in particular are often only available as seeds or you want to use the seeds obtained from your own plants. Since houseleeks are cold germinators, the seeds should be exposed to a cold stimulus in order to break the germination inhibition. It is best to proceed as follows when sowing:
- Fill small growing pots with a nutrient-poor substrate.
- This can be, for example, potting soil mixed with sand.
- Wet the substrate using a spray bottle.
- Sprinkle the very fine seeds onto the substrate.
- You can do this with the help of a piece of paper.
- Put the pots with the seeds outside in January/February.
- Protection is not necessary.
- The seeds will germinate at the beginning of spring.
Later you can prick out the young plants and plant them individually.
Tip
In contrast to the daughter rosettes, seedlings are not varietal - so if you want to propagate the plants from seeds, you will be in for one or two surprises!
