Sempervivum tectorum
Houseleek
Common names: Roof houseleek, Roof houseleek, Thunder beard
Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The roof houseleek forms dense rosettes of fleshy, water‑storing leaves and spreads into small cushions by means of offsets. Originally it was planted on roofs and walls because it tolerates dryness and heat with ease. In folk belief and traditional herbalism the leaf juice was used as a skin remedy, but scientific evidence for its efficacy is scarce. In midsummer it produces star‑shaped, pink to purple flowers on sturdy stems; after flowering the blooming rosette dies, while neighboring rosettes continue to grow. It is considered harmless to children and pets.
Care instructions
The plant needs a sunny, warm spot and a well‑draining, somewhat sparse medium, such as a mix of garden soil, sand, and fine gravel. It does not tolerate waterlogging, so water sparingly and infrequently, allowing rainwater to drain freely in a stone garden or pot. It is frost‑hardy well below freezing and does not require protection in winter, only protection from prolonged wetness. Dead or faded rosettes can be removed; the gap will fill itself with new offsets. For propagation, separate small daughter rosettes in spring or early summer (around mid‑May, week 20) and plant them in a new location.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, lean, sandy, dry
Feeding
Light feeder
Notes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety — anonymous, voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?