Houseleek grows where most other plants cannot. It is also extremely robust and frugal.
In places where hardly any plant can survive, it is not uncommon to see a houseleek, also known as a rock rose, growing. Houseleeks are among the cushion perennials and come in a large variety of species. The hobby gardener can become inventive and cultivate the plants in pots, let them grow in the rock garden or use them for green roofs. Extreme locations are no challenge for the leaf rosettes described in more detail below.
Origin and peculiarities of the stone rose
Houseleeks belong to the genus Sempervivum and come in about 50 species. There are countless cultivars in circulation. Numerous colorful crossings have emerged, which can provide a lot of variety in the rock garden.
The original home of the houseleek are the mountains and rocky landscapes of Asia and Europe.
The succulent plants form mat-like cushions of succulent rosettes. The leaves are pointed and have a hairy surface. The color spectrum of the houseleek ranges from green and red to orange.
Houseleek as a medicinal plant
In naturopathy, the plant is used externally for burns, warts, wounds or insect bites. The application can be compared to aloe vera. If the leaves are cut open, the plant sap escapes, which is applied directly to the affected area of skin.
The effect as a medicinal plant is based on the following ingredients:
- Tannin
- Bitter substances
- tannins
- Mucicums
- Formic Acid
- Malic Acid
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
Suitable location for the houseleek
The undemanding plants thrive in any location that is sunny enough. A warm and dry location is preferred during the growth phase. In winter, the plants survive even dry cold.
Houseleeks are particularly effective in a wide variety of planters. Plant lovers are welcome to get creative:
- old crockery
- Clay Pots
- Fruit Baskets
- Tin Cans
- oldShoes
Tip: Since waterlogging is not tolerated, good drainage must always be ensured in the planter. The water must not accumulate.
suitable plant neighbors for the houseleek
- Cat's Paw
- Sedum hen
- Pasque Flower
- Thyme
- Saxifrage
- Lavender
- Millionaria
Houseleeks are mostly used for natural green roofs. Seed mixtures are available that can be spread directly onto the substrate. This is how a green carpet can be created on flat roofs. A green roof has an insulating effect and helps reduce energy costs in the living space below.
The ideal substrate for the rock rose
The undemanding mountain plant requires poor soil. It is important that the soil is well drained and that the liquid does not accumulate. Heavy clay soil should be loosened with gravel or sand before planting. It tolerates an acidic as well as a calcareous substrate.
Tip: Planting can be done in standard cactus soil. Potting soil should be mixed with expanded clay or sand.
Plant houseleek
The planting of the small succulent plants is done quickly:
1. Prepare planter
2. Select location
3. Pay attention to drainage holes in the bottom of the container
4. Install drainage
5. Fill the substrate into the planter
6. Prepare soil outdoors
7. Plant houseleek
8. Fill up with soil
9. Slightly moisten houseleek
If planted in containers, make sure there are enough drainage holes in the ground. So that the water can drain off well, it is advisable to place the planter at a slight angle. This can be nicely arranged with jugs or baskets, for example.
Popular houseleek species briefly introduced
The large variety of houseleek species offers plenty of scope for creative planting ideas. The different rosette sizes and flower colors can be taken into account.
Houseleek (Sempervivum Tectorum) - © Brimeux / Stock.adobe.com
• Rosette size: up to 20 cm • Flower colour: pink, purple, white
Cobweb houseleek (Sempervivum Arachnoideum) - © Izzzy71 / Stock.adobe.com
• Rosette size: up to 2 cm • Flower colour: pink
Mountain houseleek (Sempervivum montanum) - ©ZOE / Stock.adobe.com
• Rosette size: up to 8 cm • Flower colour: red
Wulfen houseleek (Sempervivum wulfenii) - © Emmor / Stock.adobe.com
• Rosette size: up to 10 cm • Flower colour: yellow
Water the rock rose correctly
Waterlogging is houseleek's worst enemy. Since the plants can store a lot of water in their thick-leaved rosettes, they do well with very little moisture.
There is hardly any watering outdoors. Rainwater is usually sufficient. In the planter, houseleeks receive water sporadically. Water must not accumulate in the plant pot.
Propagating houseleek
If you plant a rosette, you will soon find that other rosettes have formed. The daughter rosettes soon give rise to dense cushions of plants.
Patience is required before seeds can be obtained, because the houseleek only flowers after two to three years. This can be recognized by the fact that elongated shoot axes rise from the rosettes. These can grow up to half a meter in height. After flowering, the seeds can be removed. The rosette dies off completely after the flowering period and only the daughter rosettes remain.
Propagation can take place via daughter rosettes as well as via seeds.
Propagation by seeds - step by step
When propagating by sowing, it must be noted that the houseleek is a cold germ. The seeds must therefore be exposed to a cold stimulus in order to germinate at all.
You can proceed as follows:
1. Mix potting soil with sand
2. Fill the substrate into the prepared planters
3. Moisten the substrate slightly (use a plant sprayer)
4. Cover the soil with fine sand
5. Plant pots put outside from January
Tip: Protection against the cold is not necessary.
In spring the seeds will start to sprout. When the first pairs of leaves appear, the young plants can be pricked out and moved to separate plant pots.
Propagation by daughter rosettes - step by step
-
- Separate offshoots from the mother plant
2. Prepare new location
3. Plant offshoots at new location
4. Bring in drainage
5. Offshoots slightly cast on
- Separate offshoots from the mother plant
Recognize diseases and pests on the rock rose
The robust plants are hardly affected by diseases. A hot and dry location is required. Root rot can occur if the site is too damp.
Infestations with vine weevils or aphids are less common.
Overwinter houseleek
The high mountain plants are used to harsh weather conditions and survive the winter in our latitudes without any problems. While frost will not harm houseleek, moisture can cause root rot. This is especially the case with planters. They should therefore be protected over the winter.