How big does Houseleek grow?

About 15 cm × 45 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 8–30 cm × 15–45 cm.

What soil does Houseleek grow in?

It tolerates these soils: sandy, average garden soil.

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Houseleek flower?

Flowering: June–August, pink, red, purple, yellow, white.

How much water does Houseleek need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Houseleek cost?

It sells for roughly €4.70 to €5.40 in local shops, depending on size.

Houseleek

Sempervivum × hybridum

Houseleek (Sempervivum × hybridum) is a ground cover plant that reaches 15 cm × 45 cm after ten years. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €4.70.

Illustration of Houseleek — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A hardy evergreen succulent whose fleshy rosettes knit into dense cushions: made for gravel beds, wall crevices, troughs and green roofs, where most plants would dry out. There are countless hybrids with rosettes from 1 to 20 cm across in green, red, burgundy or cobwebbed grey, and the colour shifts with the seasons, so choose by colour and rosette size. A rosette dies after it flowers, but the offsets around it fill the gap; what matters is full sun and fast drainage, as it rots in wet shade.

Watch out for

Most trouble comes from moisture: in standing water, heavy clay, shade or with overwatering the roots and the base of the rosette rot, and grey, hairy varieties also dislike winter wet. Rust occurs occasionally, vine weevil grubs may eat the roots in pots, and birds can pull out freshly planted rosettes. In pots the roots are less protected from frost than in the ground.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 15 cm × 45 cm
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–August, pink, red, purple, yellow, white

Group	Ground cover
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	15 cm × 45 cm
Ultimate size	8–30 cm × 15–45 cm
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Sandy, Average garden soil
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	June–August, pink, red, purple, yellow, white
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	20 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €4.70

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €4.70 – €5.40

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Ground cover plants Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Evergreen plants Plants for containers Plants for a Mediterranean garden Rock garden plants

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