Houseleek herb and garden

Originally from the mountainous areas of central and southern Europe, now found growing in many different areas of the world including North America. The generic name Sempervivum comes from the Latin 'semper vivo' meaning 'to live for ever'. The species name, tectorum, means 'of the roofs', there being records dating back 2,000 years of houseleeks growing on the tiles of houses. The plant was said to have been given to man by Zeus or Jupiter to protect houses from lightning and fire. Because of this the Romans planted courtyards with urns of houseleek, and Charlemagne ordered a plant to be grown on every roof. This belief continued throughout history and in medieval times the houseleek was thought to protect thatched roofs from fire from the sky and witchcraft. In the middle Ages the plant was often called Erewort and employed against deafness. When the settlers packed their bags for America they took houseleek with them.

Species

This genus of hardy succulents had 25 species 40 years ago. Now, due to reclassification, it has over 500 different varieties. As far as I am aware only houseleek has medicinal properties.

Sempervivum tectorum

Houseleek

Hardy evergreen perennial. Ht 10-15cm (4-6in) (when in flower) otherwise it is 5cm (2in), spread 20cm (Sin). Flowers are star-. Shaped and pink in summer. The leaves, gray/green in color, are oval pointed and succulent. Some other Sempervivum worth collecting:

Sempervivum arachnoideum

Cobweb Houseleek

Hardy evergreen perennial. Ht 10-12cm (4-5in), when in flower, otherwise it is 5cm (2in), spread 10cm (4in). Flowers are star-shaped and pink in summer. The leaves, gray/green in color, are oval pointed and succulent. The tips of the leaves are covered in a web of white hairs.

Sempervivum giuseppii.

Hardy evergreen perennial. Ht 8-10cm (3-4in), when in flower, otherwise it is 2cm (1in), spread 10cm (4in). Flowers star-shaped, pink/ red in summer. Leaves, grey/green in color, are oval pointed and succulent and grow into a very compact shape. This Sempervivum is a vigorous grower.

Sempervivum montanum

Hardy evergreen perennial. Ht 8-15cm (3-6in), when in flower, otherwise 5cm (2in). Spread 10cm (4in). Flowers star-shaped and deep red in summer. Leaves grey /green in color, oval pointed and succulent.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

Most species hybridize readily, so seed cannot be depended upon to reproduce the species true to type. When you buy seed it often says, 'mixture of several species and varieties' on the packet. It can be good fun to sow these as long as von do not mind what you get; it is even more fun trying to name them as they develop. The seed is very small, so start off in a seed or plug tray in spring. Sow on the surface. Do not cover except with a sheet of glass. No need for bottom heat. Use the bark, grit, peat compost.

Offsets

All the sempervivum produce offsets that cluster around the base of the parent plant. In spring gently remove them and you will notice each has its own root system. Either put straight into a pot, using the bark, grit, peat mix of compost, or plant where required. Plant 23cm (9in) apart.

Pests and Diseases

Vine Weevil, this scourge of the garden, is very destructive to a number of plants and they like house leeks. You will know they have been when you see the rosette lying on its side with no roots. See page 242-243 for methods of destroying the pests.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow seeds. Pot tip or re-plant offsets.

Summer: Collect seeds if required from flowering plants.

Autumn: Remove offsets if the plant is becoming too invasive, pot up for following season's display.

Winter: No need for protection.

Garden cultivation

Basically the soil should be well drained and thin, as they prefer very little to no soil. They will grow anywhere, on weathered rocks and screes and of course rock gardens. Another good place to plant them is between paving stones, or in between other creeping plants like thymes. They can take many years to flower, and when they do they die, but by then there will be many offsets to follow.

Harvest

Pick leaves to use fresh as required. There is no good way of preserving them.

Medicinal

Pick leaves to use fresh as required. There is no good way of preserving them.

Container growing

If the Romans could do it so can we. Houseleeks do look good in containers and shallow stone troughs. The compost must be poor and very well drained. Use the bark, grit, peat mix but change the ratio to 50 per cent grit, 25 per cent peat, and 25 per cent bark. No need to feed, and do not over-water.

Culinary

The leaves can be added to salad dishes. I think it would be polite to say that it is an acquired taste.

Medicinal

The leaves are an astringent and when broken in half can be applied to burns, insect bites and other skin problems. Press the juice from the leaf onto the infected part. My son, when he goes on hikes or is building dens, always has some in his pockets - great for clothes washing -for when he gets stung by nettles they are much better than dock when rubbed in. To soften skin around corns, bind one leaf for a few hours soak foot in water in attempt to remove corn. Repeat as necessary. Infuse as a tea for septic throats, bronchitis and mouth ailments. It is also said that chewing a few leaves can ease toothache.