Sempervivum erythraeum

RHS Plant Profile
red houseleek
red houseleek RHS
Alpine Rockery Cactus Succulent

A mat-forming, evergreen perennial with open rosettes of succulent, ovate to spoon-shaped leaves coloured green with a purple tinge and covered with dense, short hairs giving the leaves a velvety look. Flowering stems, up to 20cm long, carry pink to reddish-purple flowers up to 2cm in diameter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Crassulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Sempervivum are evergreen perennials forming mats of fleshy-leaved rosettes, often attractively coloured, with star-shaped pink or pale yellow flowers in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Bulgaria

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow 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

Propagation

Propagate by rooting offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil and sempervivum leaf miner

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust