Mountain houseleek (Sempervivum montanum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Mountain houseleek on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 14 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Mountain houseleek
Sempervivum montanum, commonly known as 'Mountain House-leek', is a perennial succulent forming compact, dense rosettes, vibrant green to reddish, especially on the leaf margins. It's perfect for rock gardens, green roofs, or pots, adding an alpine and resilient touch. Its robust appearance and ability to spread make it ideal for low-maintenance ground cover.
Native range
Mountains of Central and Southern Europe, including the Alps, Carpathians, and Pyrenees.
Care tips
It requires full sun to maintain its intense coloration and compact form; excessive shade will weaken it. Watering should be sparse, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot, especially in winter. It prefers a very well-drained, sandy or mineral substrate. The common mistake is overwatering, which is the main cause of death for this succulent.
How to save a dying Mountain houseleek
- Warning signs
- Soft, yellowing, or blackened leaves at base. Compact rosette opening or rotting.
- First aid
- Remove dead leaves. Check roots. Repot in sandy, well-draining substrate. Water only if soil is dry.
- What kills it
- Overwatering. Constant humidity, especially in winter. Poorly draining soil that retains water.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if rot hasn't reached the rosette's center. Requires patience and dry conditions.