Small Houseleek
Sedum album
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Pl. A4F9 — Sedum album
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IOverview
Overview
Small Houseleek (Sedum album) is a perennial forb or herb that thrives in light to heavy soils with a preference for a neutral pH of 6.5–7. Native to regions including Albania, Algeria, Austria, and parts of Europe and North Africa, this plant has adapted to various climates from the Mediterranean to colder areas like Scandinavia and Russia. Known for its edible leaves, which can be used in salads or as a mild substitute for spinach, Small Houseleek is also valued for its ornamental qualities, featuring small white flowers that bloom in summer. Its distinctive feature lies in its ability to grow in dry to moist conditions, making it a resilient choice for gardens and rockeries.
Quick answers
What is Small Houseleek?
Small Houseleek (Sedum album) is a perennial forb or herb that thrives in light to heavy soils with a preference for a neutral pH of 6.5–7.
What is Small Houseleek used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Small Houseleek
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Small Houseleek appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Small Houseleek support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Small Houseleek thrives in light to medium soil that can be sandy, loamy, or clayey, with a pH between 6.5 and 7. It prefers dry to moist conditions and is hardy in temperate regions with zones 6-8. This perennial plant requires full sun to partial shade for best growth. Propagate through leaf cuttings or division in spring or early fall. Harvest its edible leaves throughout the growing season.
Light
9/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
6-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.1 m tall
Soil pH
6.5–7
For first-time growers
How to grow Small Houseleek for the first time
8steps
Start with Small Houseleek as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden or container.
- 1
What you'll need
Small Houseleuk seeds or small plants, well-draining soil, and a sunny spot in the garden.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Small Houseleek in spring after the last frost or in early fall.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a well-draining potting mix with perlite or sand added for extra drainage. Ensure containers have good drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost, or start them indoors 4-6 weeks before planting outside. Transplant small plants in spring.
- 5
First two weeks
Water sparingly to avoid rotting the roots and leaves. Place in a sunny spot but protect from intense midday sun.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water only when the soil is dry, about once every 2-3 weeks. Fertilize minimally if needed, using a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves and stems in early spring to encourage new growth and maintain plant shape.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, not providing enough sunlight, using too much fertilizer, and neglecting to prune.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The Small Houseleek (Sedum album) is edible and its leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Typically, the leaves are used fresh in salads for a mild, slightly sour taste. They can also be boiled as a vegetable or dried for later use. Skip the detailed preparation instructions to maintain brevity.
Other uses:Ground cover
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe19 regions
native (19)AlbaniaAustriaBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryItalyNetherlandsNorwayPortugalRomaniaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraine
Asia1 region
native (1)Iran
Africa3 regions
native (3)AlgeriaLibyaMorocco
Broader regions
native:Czechoslovakia, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · a4f9ed23-46dc-4bfa-9b69-0a5c78e639ce
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