Common Houseleek - Sempervivum tectorum

Common Houseleek – a long‑lived succulent perennial for rock gardens and green roofs.

This wild species is a perennial, extremely winter‑hardy succulent with characteristic fleshy rosettes. Traditionally used for external applications. The plants grow compactly, form dense cushions, and are ideally suited to dry, nutrient‑poor sites. Easy to care for, open‑pollinated, and reliable – ideal for naturalistic designs and ecological plantings.

  Origin & History

The common houseleek is an open‑pollinated wild form originating from the mountains of southern Europe, from the Pyrenees across central France to the western Balkans. It belongs to the family Crassulaceae, the subfamily Sempervivoideae, and the genus Sempervivum. Already in antiquity it was valued for its resilience and used externally for centuries as a robust medicinal plant. In the 4th century BC, Theophrastus noted that it prefers to grow on walls and roof tiles. In Roman and medieval times it was regarded as a protective plant against lightning and fire, which is why Charlemagne ordered it to be planted on house roofs in 812.

The botanical epithet “tectorum” (“of the roof”) refers to this historical use. Today, Sempervivum tectorum occurs naturalized or established across large parts of Europe – from Scandinavia to Ireland and as far as the Caucasus and Iran. This wide distribution is the result of its exceptional hardiness and its long cultural history.

The common houseleek is considered one of the most significant European succulents. Its ability to thrive in extremely nutrient‑poor, rocky, and dry habitats ensured its preservation as a cultivated plant over many centuries. Passed down through generations, this species is now regarded as part of Europe’s cultural heritage.

  Appearance & Characteristics

The plants grow compactly in a rosette form and reach a height of around 20 cm. They form dense cushions with numerous offsets and show a high adaptability to extreme sites. Hardy to about -30 °C.

Rosette details:

• Size: Individual rosettes approx. 5-15 cm in diameter

• Shape: Rosette‑shaped, symmetrical, tightly closed

• Color: Green to reddish‑green, depending on site and season

• Texture: Fleshy, juicy, firm

• Special feature: Cooling, soothing plant sap – traditionally used externally, similar to Aloe vera

 Usage & Cultivation Highlights

The leaves of the common houseleek have traditionally been applied externally; their sap has a cooling and soothing effect on skin irritations, burns, insect bites, and inflammations, and was widely used in folk medicine for centuries. In addition, the species is an excellent ornamental plant for rock gardens, dry beds, wall tops, green roofs, and containers.

Thanks to its longevity, the common houseleek grows with remarkable frugality and shows exceptionally high adaptability. The species is fully frost‑hardy and forms dense, decorative cushions. It thrives alongside drought‑loving species such as lavender, thyme, and sage, and remains vigorous even in heat, drought, and cold. Its compact growth makes it ideal for slopes, walls, and rocky embankments, while the continuous formation of offsets makes propagation particularly easy. Fertilization or irrigation is unnecessary, as it grows reliably even in extremely poor, sunny, and stony sites. It is also highly suitable for rock gardens, dry stone walls, extensive green roofs, and naturalistic plantings. Its dense rosettes stabilize substrates, prevent erosion, and create small microhabitats for insects. Even in containers, bowls, troughs, and miniature gardens, it shows great adaptability and quickly forms attractive stands. Its long lifespan and resilience make it one of the easiest and most reliable succulents in Europe.

Compared to other succulents, the common houseleek stands out for its extreme winter hardiness and its traditional external use – ideal for anyone who appreciates robust historic wild plants with exceptional longevity.