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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops) |
| Origin: Europe, Central (Europe) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Magenta |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: <1 foot |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: < 0 °F |
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Sempervivum montanum (Houseleek) - Hardy small succulent with tight rosettes to 2-3 inches in diameter crowded with mid-green colored fleshy leaves. Plants produce many offsetting rosettes that are held tightly crowded together. Clusters of reddish-purple star-shaped flowers rise up on short stalks in early summer. Plant in sun or light shade (protect from intense sun inland) in a sandy well-drained soil. Requires little water. A great plant in rock crevices or as a small scale groundcover. Hardy well below 0°F – listed to USDA zone 4. This plant is native to mountainous areas of southern Europe from the Pyrenees east through the Alps to the Carpathian Mountains and south into Corsica. The name for the genus comes from the Latin words 'semper' meaning "always" and 'vivus' meaning "living" in reference to the long living nature of these plants. Specific epithet is from this plants habitat in mountainous regions. The common names Houseleek or Roof House Leek comes from the ancient practice of planting these plants on the thatched roofs of houses to prevent roof fires caused by lightning. The alternate common name of Hen and Chicks is because the older center plant in a clump is larger and surrounded by smaller plants.
The information about Sempervivum montanum that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.
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