The undemanding house root or roof root with its distinctive leaf rosettes grows almost everywhere - provided it is dry and sunny enough. It is not without reason that the hardy outdoor succulents are also called “Sempervivum” – in German “Immerlebend”. The robust plants just don't want to be kept indoors. In this article we give you some tips for successful planting.
How should I plant houseleek correctly?
Choose a sunny location and a planter with a drainage hole for houseleeks. Create drainage made of expanded clay or pebbles, use permeable succulent substrate and do not plant the plant too deep. Leave room for offshoot development.
Selection of location
Before planting, however, you first have to choose the right location. Sempervivum is very undemanding and thrives almost everywhere - as long as the plant gets enough sun. Houseleeks love it sunny, dry and warm during the growing season and as cold (and dry) as possible in winter. The houseleek is absolutely winter hardy and should not be warmer than a maximum of 10 °C during the cold months.
Planters and substrate
When it comes to planters, there are numerous beautiful and unusual planting ideas for houseleeks. How about, for example, a discarded chair planted with Sempervivum, a roof tile or an old teapot? Where you put your housewurst is entirely up to you and your imagination. The only important thing is that irrigation and rain water can drain away easily - drainage is the most important thing when planting houseleeks! – and the right soil. Houseleeks feel very comfortable in lean succulent or cactus soil (€7.00 on Amazon), but you can also mix it yourself from conventional flower or pot plant soil and at least a third of sand.
Planting houseleeks
Before you put the houseleek in any planter, it is best to ensure drainage first. The selected vessel should have at least one drainage hole (drilled if necessary), although not all materials should be drilled through. However, loose substrates, stones and some kind of drainage option for the water ensure the necessary permeability - for example by placing the planter at a slight angle and also protected from rain. It also makes sense to fill a layer of expanded clay, pottery shards or pebbles underground. Finally, do not plant the houseleek too deeply in the substrate and leave a little space between neighboring plants so that the offshoots can develop.
Tip
How about, for example, the idea of planting the houseleeks on a piece of root? Such garden remnants or finds (for example from the beach) are wonderful for planting with small succulents.