Houseleek (Sempervivum altum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Houseleek on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 14 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Houseleek
Sempervivum altum, also known as 'tall houseleek', is a perennial succulent forming compact, robust rosettes, notable for its bright green fleshy leaves that can develop reddish hues with sun exposure. Its flower stalks, emerging in summer, can reach a considerable height, hence its name. It is ideal for rockeries, green roofs, or as an accent plant in pots, providing an architectural and low-maintenance touch.
Native range
Mountains of Central and Eastern Europe, including the Carpathians and the Balkans.
Care tips
It requires full sun to maintain its compact form and vibrant colors, although it tolerates some partial shade in very hot climates. Watering should be sparse, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings, especially in winter. It needs a very well-draining, sandy, or specific cactus and succulent substrate to prevent waterlogging. A common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root and rosette base rot.
How to save a dying Houseleek
- Warning signs
- Soft, yellowing, or blackened basal leaves (overwatering). Wrinkled, dry leaves (underwatering/sun).
- First aid
- Remove damaged leaves, check roots (rot or dryness). Repot into dry, well-draining soil if rotten, or water if dry.
- What kills it
- Overwatering is its killer. Needs little water and fast-draining soil. Waterlogging is fatal!
- Can it be saved?
- Yes! They are very resilient. Act quickly at first signs. If the main stem isn't rotted, there's hope.