Caring for Houseleeks

Sempervivum tectorum (also known as “the common houseleek” or “hens and chicks”) is a species of succulent, native to the mountains of southern Europe. As long ago as Roman times, it has been grown in pots beside houses and on top of thatched roofs throughout Europe and the British Isles. When grown on roofs, it was believed to protect the building from lightning¹.

As the name sempervivum suggests, the plant is extremely hardy and difficult to kill through neglect. In much of Europe, the United States, and Canada, it requires little to no special care, as long as it has somewhat suitable soil and full sun exposure. The plant deals well with extremely cold temperatures and extreme drought. The remainder of this post deals with how to grow it optimally in the dry, hot climate of inland Southern California.

Instructions specific to inland Southern California

In inland Southern California, houseleeks grow best between October and May and then they go into a slow-growth, semi-dormant state during the late spring and summer. They generally do not adapt well to the extreme sunlight intensity and heat during the summer. In areas that experience “May gray” and “June gloom,” they can be damaged by intense sunlight in the early summer because they do not have time to adapt to the sudden increase in light intensity that happens in late June and July.

Placement and sun exposure

It is best to put houseleeks on the eastern or western side of a building or wall during the summer months to limit the stress. During the winter, they grow best when they are facing south so they can get plenty of sunlight. They do not cope well with shady areas; do not put them on the north side of a wall on in full shade. Do not try to grow them inside of a house unless you have a bright grow-light.

Soil

Houseleeks will do well in porous, sandy, and loamy soil. General-purpose potting soil, peat poss, and “cactus soil” will all work well. Avoid soil that is very high in clay and does not drain well.

Watering

When the appropriate soil is used, it is essentially impossible to over-water houseleeks. They can survive for long periods without water, even in Southern California, but if you want them to grow well, they should be watered every day during the summer and at least weekly during the cooler months if there is no rain.

Fertilization

For optimal growth, they should be fertilized at least a few times per year during the cooler months when they grow the most. A general purpose fertilizer, like Miracle-Gro, works well.

Propagation

Healthy plants will produce several clonal side-shoots (also called “chicks” or “pups”). Once the side-shoots are about the size of a U.S. quarter dollar, they can be removed from the parent plant to start a new plant. They easily grow roots:

1. Remove the clone from the parent plant.
2. Pull the lower leaves off of the clone, if the leaves point downward or if there are dead leaves at the base.
3. Prepare a pot (or make a small hole in the ground). If you are using a pot, make sure that there are drainage holes in the bottom.
4. Insert the stem of the clone into the hole.
5. Fill the hole and water the plant. It will begin growing new roots within a few days.