About
Sempervivum erythraeum, the red houseleek, is a mat-forming, evergreen perennial with open rosettes of succulent, velvety, green leaves with a purple tinge and dense, short hairs. Flowering stems to 20 cm carry pink to reddish-purple flowers to 2 cm across in summer. A beautiful and rewarding houseleek for a sunny, well-drained rock garden or container.
About the genus
Sempervivum, the houseleeks, are evergreen perennials forming spreading mats of fleshy-leaved rosettes, often attractively coloured or tipped, with star-shaped, pink or pale-yellow flowers in summer. Excellent and easy-care plants for a sunny, well-drained rock garden, wall, trough or container.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Cactus Succulent
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native toBulgaria
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile gritty soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Suitable for rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough or alpine house
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by rooting offsets in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil and sempervivum leaf miner
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a rust