Houseleek
Sempervivum tectorumfam. Crassulaceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
medicinaledibleperennialperennialnative euculinaryedible leafdrought tolerantornamentalmedicinalsucculentedible
Pl. 1FA6 — Sempervivum tectorum
Sempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorumSempervivum tectorum
IOverview
Overview
Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum) is a perennial forb or herb native to the mountainous regions of Albania, Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia. Known for its ornamental value and edibility, this plant thrives in dry to moist conditions with light to medium soil. It has a hardiness range of 5-10, making it suitable for various climates. Houseleek is recognizable by its rosette form, where each leaf forms a tight cluster, often giving the appearance of a miniature forest. Its edible parts include leaves and shoots, which grow up to 20 cm in height. This plant prefers a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5, making it adaptable but specific in its growing requirements.
Quick answers
What is Houseleek?
Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum) is a perennial forb or herb native to the mountainous regions of Albania, Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia. Known for its ornamental value and edibility, this plant thrives in dry to moist conditions with light to medium soil.
What is 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 Houseleek
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: 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.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Houseleek thrives in well-draining soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, preferring light (sandy) to medium textures. It requires dry to moist conditions and is hardy in temperate regions, zones 5-10. This perennial plant prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. For best results, propagate by division or sowing seeds. Harvest edible parts such as leaves and shoots when needed.
Light
9/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
5-10
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.2 m tall
Soil pH
5.5–6.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Houseleek for the first time
8steps
Start with easy-to-grow Houseleek for a successful beginner’s garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Houseleek plants or seeds, small pots, potting soil suitable for succulents.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring or early fall when temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a well-draining cactus mix with perlite added. Ensure pots have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants from the garden or pot them directly into prepared containers.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil slightly moist but not wet, and place in a sunny spot to acclimate.
- 6
Ongoing care
Place outside during summer; bring indoors if temperatures drop below 5°C. Water sparingly, every few weeks.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves to maintain plant health and appearance; no need for harvesting edible parts.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, not providing enough sunlight.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesShoots
Edible uses: Drink
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
9 native · 21 introduced
Distribution
9 native · 21 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 9 native· 21 introduced
Europe18 regions
native (8)AlbaniaAustriaFranceGermanyHungaryItalySpainSwitzerland
introduced (10)BelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFranceNorwayPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSweden
Broader regions
native:Yugoslavia
introduced:Vermont, Virginia, Wake I., Czechoslovakia, Masachusettes, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Utah
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 (Crassulaceae), 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 · 1fa69b12-2cc2-4165-b225-c25c0ef7e2c0
Decision aid
Choosing between Houseleek and something else?
Continue reading
❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates
Get archive updates
Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.