Similar to strawberries, houseleeks (Sempervivum) reproduce via offshoots (so-called daughter rosettes) and seeds. And just like with the red fruits, the vegetative propagation of the thick-leafed plants is very easy, while the cultivation from seeds is not very promising.
Propagating houseleek is easy
Propagate houseleek via daughter rosettes
As a rule, the houseleek flowers only once and then dies off. However, this only applies to the flowering rosette, because the previously formed daughter rosettes allow the plant to survive. Many houseleek species develop rosettes in the second year at the earliest, some even after flowering. You can simply leave the rosettes where they are and let the plants continue to grow happily. However, if the new houseleeks are to be placed in another planter or transplanted to another location, you can proceed as follows:
- Gently pull the rosettes apart with your fingers.
- Fill the desired planter with suitable soil
- or prepare the new location appropriate to the species.
- Succulent or cactus soil is very suitable as soil,
- You can also mix the substrate yourself.
- Plant the new rosettes in there
- and water lightly.
- The seedlings will take root within a short time and without further care.
The ideal time for such a measure is spring or early summer, when the plants are already calibrated for strong growth.
Sow houseleek
Another option is to propagate houseleek from seeds. Rare species in particular are often only available as seeds or you want to use the seeds obtained from your own plants. Since houseleeks belong to the cold germs, the seeds should be exposed to a cold stimulus to break the germination inhibition. It is best to proceed as follows when sowing:
- Fill small seed pots with a nutrient-poor substrate.
- This can be potting soil mixed with sand, for example.
- Dampen the substrate using a spray bottle.
- Scatter the very fine seeds on the substrate.
- You can do this with a piece of paper.
- Put the pots with the seeds outside in January/February.
- Protection is not necessary.
- The seeds will germinate in early spring.
Later you can prick out the young plants and plant them individually.
tips
In contrast to the daughter rosettes, seedlings are not varietal - so if you want to propagate the plants from seeds, where will you be in for a surprise or two!