Houseleeks (Sempervivum) Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Soil, Propagation, Problems

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Sempervivums also called Houseleeks, Liveforever or Hens and Chicks, are favored succulents plants which form mats composed of tufted leaves in rosettes.

Houseleeks are low-growing, compact plants reaching a height of 4 inches only and each plant grows for upto 5 years before flowering. Based on their size, they are some of the best plants for the limited spaces in the home and office.

The color of flowers is reddish, yellowish, pinkish or rarely whitish. After flowering, the Liveforever dies, leaving many offsets it has produced during its life and hence the common name, 'Liveforever'.

These offsets that form around the base of the plants have also given Houseleeks the common name, 'Hens and Chicks'. They share the name 'Hens and Chicks', with other genera like Echeverias which bear a rosette of short, beautiful, tightly packed leaves on short stems which are covered with a white bloom, short hairs or a waxy coating.

The species in the Sempervivum genus are not easy to identify as even one single clone can look very different under various growth conditions or at different times of the year.

Sempervivums are very similar and closely linked to each other. Numerous cultivars have been created but a lot of them are not different from each other. The main interest of these cultivars is not their flowers but the form and color of the rosette-leaves.

Sempervivum are closely related to Aeoniums (Tree Houseleeks) which bear succulent, glossy, spoon-shaped leaves typically arranged on a basal stem in a dense spreading rosette.

Botanical name: Sempervivum
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Common name: Houseleeks, Liveforever, Hens and Chicks

Origin

Sempervivum is a genus of about 40 species of flowering plants which are endemic from Morocco to Iran, through the mountains of Iberia, the Alps, Carpathians, Balkan mountains, Turkey, the Armenian mountains, northeastern part of Sahara Desert and the Caucasus.

Houseleeks are completely hardy due to their ability to store water in their thick leaves which allows them to live on sunny rocks and stony places in the mountain, subalpine and alpine belts. They among popular drought-tolerant plants for the home or office spaces.

Are Sempervivum toxic?

No. Sempervivum are non-toxic to humans and pets. They are safe to for children, cats, dogs and other pets. However, they should not be eaten.

Where to Buy Sempervivum

If you are looking to add Houseleeks to your collection, you may obtain them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Sempervivum Indoors

To care for Houseleeks indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of sunshine, warmth of 16-28⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.

Sempervivum require pruning to keep the plant neat and minimize pest and disease infestation. Repotting is only needed when pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

How often should I water Sempervivum?

Do not water Sempervivum on a schedule as doing so may lead to either overwatering or underwatering, both of which are problematic to plant growth.

Water Houseleeks thoroughly in spring and summer when the top half of soil to dry out to keep the soil moderately moist. Be cautious not to overwater to prevent rotting, yellowing, drooping and leaf loss.

Cut down on watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely to avoid wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

To prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth, use water that is at room temperature. Only use chlorine-free water to prevent staining and browning.

Use a pot that has a drainage hole and fast-draining soil to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and death of the plant.

Avoiding wetting the center of the rosette as it can lead to rotting. Always discard excess water from the bottom saucer to prevent sogginess of the soil.

Light Requirements

Do Sempervivum need sun or shade?

Sempervivum need bright light with at least 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunlight. Avoid exposing them to hot midday sunshine before acclimating them to prevent scorching.

Where the lighting is inadequate, Houseleeks will loss their leaf color, begin to yellow and exhibit leggy growth. If the natural lighting is not enough, instal full spectrum grow lights to complement it.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and to prevent lopsided growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Houseleeks thrive in a warmth of 16-28⁰C during the growing season and a minimum of 10⁰C in winter. Keep them away from sources of drafts as they cause stunted growth, wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.

Sempervivums have no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is good for these plants. Ensure good air circulation to reduce fungal diseases.

Potting Soil

The best potting medium for Houseleeks is a rich, loose, free-draining soil that does not get soggy. It should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. A Cactus and succulents mix is ideal for this plant as it drains easily.

Fertilizer

Feed Houseleeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing season to boost growth. Ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label. Stop feeding in the dormancy stage (cold season) as growth is minimal at this time.

Repotting

Houseleeks have a small root system so frequent repotting is not necessary. Repot at the beginning of the growing season only when crowded in its current pot.

Use a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Use a shallow pot and be careful not to bury the stems to prevent rotting. Check out these succulents pots on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Houseleeks is easy. Remove dead and diseased leaves to keep the plant neat and also reduce pests and disease infestations.

Sempervivum Propagation

How to multiply Sempervivum?

Houseleeks are best propagated at the beginning of the growing season, from offsets which form at the base of the plant.

Propagating Houseleeks from offsets

1. Carefully seperate the offsets from the mother plant. Choose an offset which has several leaves.


2. Allow the offsets to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before potting to prevent rotting.


3. Pot each offset in its individual pot in moist free-draining soil.


4. Place the set up in a warm, brightly lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


5. Water sparingly, only when the soil is dry until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

Sempervivum Problems & Solutions

What are common Sempervivum problems?

Sempervivum common problems are loss of leaf color, plant dying, diseases, pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Loss of leaf color

Loss of leaf color on Houseleeks is due to too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with at least 4-6 hours of sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural light is enough.

Plant dying

Why is my Sempervivum dying?

Your Sempervivum is dying due to basal stem-rot disease which is brought about by overwet conditions. It is characterized by a rotting plant base followed by yellowing and shrivelled leaves.

The disease spreads very fast and is difficult to treat. If it has spread, the plant cannot be saved and it should be discarded together with its soil and pot. However, if caught early, it can be treated as follows:

How to treat early infestation

1. Cut and discard or burn the diseased plant tissue.


2. Keep the soil on the drier side; stop watering for about 10-14 days.


3. Use a pot with a drainage hole and a fast-draining soil.


4. Maintain good airflow to discourage the disease infestation.


5. Place the plant away from cold drafts to maintain an average warmth.

Diseases

Sempervivum is also prone to leaf spot disease which is promoted by poor air circulation and presents as brown, soft spots on the leaves.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to reduce spread to the other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil as per the manufacturer's instructions.


3. Ensure free air circulation to discourage the diseases.


4. Water from the bottom to avoid wetting the foliage.


5. Allow the top half of soil to dry out between waterings.


6. Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil to prevent sogginess.

Pests

Common pests of Houseleeks are mealybugs, scales and spider mites which are common in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to the rest of the plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with a neem oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.


3. Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.


4. Maintain the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.


5. Group the plants together or set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity and reduce pests infestation.

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