Houseleeks are a genus of plants in the Succulent family. There are numerous species and many more varieties - many are very rare and only occur in a few natural locations. How many species there are exactly cannot be said exactly and differs between 40 and over 200 different species depending on the author. However, there are more than 7000 different Sempervivum varieties.
There are many different types of houseleek
Houseleeks for every location
Basically, houseleeks like sunny and dry locations with poor soil, but there are special houseleek species for certain conditions. Some houseleeks prefer calcareous soil, while others prefer slightly acidic or even more nutrient-rich soil. Due to the great variety within the houseleeks, collectors have an easy game: With the different colors and shapes, the most diverse planting ideas can be realized.
Popular houseleek species
In the table below you will find a list of some well-known and popular houseleek species. In addition to the Sempervivum species listed, there are numerous hybrids.
| Houseleek Art | Latin designation | rosettes | flowering shoots | flower color | particularities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real houseleek | Sempervivum tectorum | up to 20 cm in diameter | up to 60 cm high | pink, purple or white | forms the largest rosettes |
| Cobweb houseleek | Sempervivum arachnoideum | up to 2 cm | up to 18 cm | pink | cobweb-like hairs in summer |
| mountain houseleek | Sempervivum montanum | up to 8 cm, spherical | up to 50 cm | Red | runners up to 10 cm long |
| Fringe houseleek | Sempervivum globiferum | tiny | up to 35 cm | yellowish white | also grows on acidic soils |
| Wulfen houseleek | Sempervivum wulfenii | up to 10 cm | up to 30 cm | yellow | very long leaves |
| Large-flowered houseleek | Sempervivum grandiflorum | large, dark green | up to 30 cm | yellow or white | Leaves are hairy |
| Lime houseleek | Sempervivum calcareum | green with red tips | up to 25 cm | white or pink | for calcareous soil |
| Dolomite houseleek | Sempervivum dolomiticum | up to 5 cm | up to 15 cm | red or purple | particularly undemanding |
| Serpentine houseleek | Sempervivum pittonii | flat, small, hairy | up to 20 cm | yellow | rarity |
tips
When planting the various houseleeks, it is best to use commercially available cactus soil or your own mixture of potting soil with a third of sand.