About
The common houseleek, *Sempervivum tectorum*, is a rosette-forming succulent evergreen perennial highly valued for its attractive appearance and historical association with protecting buildings from lightning strikes. It is easily propagated and has gained recognition from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Field notes
Morphology
It forms a rosette of grey-green, tufted, sessile leaves, typically 4–10 cm in diameter, which are often suffused with rose-red. The plant grows up to 15 cm tall and 50 cm broad, bearing clusters of reddish-purple flowers in multiples of 8–16 on hairy erect flat-topped stems.
Distribution & habitat
Native to the mountains of southern Europe.
Cultivation notes
It is valued as groundcover for hot, dry places and multiplies horizontally by propagation of underground roots, which occurs in the spring. Seed propagation is also possible in spring.
History & etymology
The species was described in 1753 by Linnaeus. The specific epithet tectorum means "of house roofs," referring to its traditional location on house roofs.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- Ireland
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- easy