Common Houseleek [Sempervivum tectorum]

The perennial Common Houseleek is a succulent medicinal plant for extremely rough, dry and cold locations. Has been valued in folk medicine since the Middle Ages and is considered a symbol of perseverance and protection. For the planting of stone gardens, dry beds, walls or green roofs. Optimally for direct sowing or precultivation, pot culture possible, sowing spring winter, good for mixed culture, the leaves harvest. Ideal for direct sowing or precultivation, pot culture possible, sowing spring-winter, good for mixed culture, harvesting leaves.

 Description 
The Common Houseleek is a very old succulent medicinal plant with a long tradition. It originally comes from the mountain regions of southern Europe, from Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its natural habitat includes rocky, well -drained areas such as cliffs and slopes, where it thrives with minimal water requirements under difficult conditions. This hardy succulent has been cultivated all over Europe for centuries, today there is an unmistakable abundance of cultural and wild forms, whereby only the species 'Sempervivum tectorum' has been planted many times in the Middle Ages. It was previously viewed as a protective plant against lightning strikes and fire and was generally known as a symbol of endurance and protection. As a result, Karl the Great, in his famous Landfreich Ordinance of 812, ordered the planting of the roofs of houses for protection with the roof root. The juice from the fleshy, attractive, rosette -shaped leaves of this mountain plant can be used like aloe vera and is used for skin problems such as burns, inflammation, and insect bites. Your juice has a cooling, anti -inflammatory and skin care effect and is usually crushed directly to apply it to the relevant places. Succulents are also used in folk medicine in belt rose, chicken eyes and sunburn and is also used because of its soothing properties in herbal medicine. The frugal plant is incredibly easy to care for, manifests it excellently with extremely dry locations and is therefore ideal for planting stone gardens, dry beds or planting walls.

 General information 
Plant family: Crassulaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 140 days
Plant height approx.: 25 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Low
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to -34°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable loamy soil

pH value: 6 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light and cold germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 3-5 °C
Germination time: 14-30 days
Plant and row spacing: 15x20 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 4-5 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Lavender, Thyme, Sage
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing in December or precultivation from January to May is recommended. The location of the plants is ideally sunny.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
A direct sowing from January to February or pre -cultivation from January to May is recommended.The location of the plants is ideally sunny.

 General recommendations 
The seeds need an approximately 3-4 week of cold at 2 ° C and then warmer temperatures to interrupt the germ rest. This can be achieved by artificial stratification in the fridge. Direct sowing or precultivation is recommended. Roof root is adapted to life in low -precipitation regions with nutrient -poor soils and thrives on almost every permeable soil.
Common Houseleek does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water retention capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds or devision.

 Plant care 
No care necessary. Soil can dry out. No fertilization required.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Sempervivum tectorum
English names: Common Houseleek
German names: Hauswurz, Dachwurz, Donarsbart, Jupiters Bart, Thors Bart, Steinrose
Portuguese names: Sempre viva dos telhados
Spanish names: Siempreviva mayor
French names: Joubarbe des toits

 Origin 
Country: Germany