Sempervivum densum
common houseleek
A vigorous mat-forming evergreen perennial with clusters of fleshy rosettes to 10cm in width, the leaves blue-green suffused with reddish-purple. Starry purplish flowers are borne in flat cymes on stems to 20cm in height
Other common names
bullock's beardbullock's eye
see moredevil's beard
earwort
fuet
healing blade
homewort
imbroke
Jove's beard
Jupiter's beard
Jupiter's eye
poor Jan's leaf
red-leaved houseleek
roof foil
roof houseleek
sengreen
St Patrick's cabbage
thunder plant
welcome-home-husband-however-drunk-you-be
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Green Purple Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Blue Green Purple Red | ||
| Autumn | Blue Green Purple Red | |||
| Winter | Blue Green Purple Red |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical 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
- Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Suitable for rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough or alpine house
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in spring, or root offsets in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
- Ground cover
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to vine weevil
Diseases
May be affected by a rust
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.