cactus succulent

Mountain Houseleek

The Story

Plant Bio

Sempervivum montanum, commonly known as mountain houseleek, is an evergreen succulent native to the high-altitude rocky slopes of southern and central Europe. It forms dense, low-growing mats of tight rosettes that spread steadily via short stolons.

This species is distinguished by its mid-green, lanceolate leaves covered in dense, sticky glandular hairs and often tipped with deep maroon-brown. In early summer, mature rosettes produce short, leafy stalks topped with clusters of star-shaped, reddish-purple flowers before dying.

Uses & Benefits:

Forms highly symmetrical, evergreen rosettes with contrasting dark tips and attractive star-shaped summer flowers.

Functions as an exceptionally low-maintenance, drought-tolerant groundcover for dry, rocky, or sandy soils where other plants fail.

Provides nectar and pollen for bees and other generalist insect pollinators during mid-summer.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Cactus Succulent

Height

Width

14"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to moderate

Lifespan

Perennial (individual rosettes are monocarpic but colony is long-lived)

Native To

Southern and central Europe

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Early summer – Mid-summer

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with exceptionally sharp, gravelly, or sandy mineral soil.
Dig a shallow hole just deep enough to accommodate the root system, ensuring the base of the rosette sits slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Backfill with a lean, gritty soil mix and press gently to secure the plant without burying the foliage.
Water sparingly to settle the soil, then withhold further irrigation until the substrate has dried out completely.

Pro Tip

Amateurs often kill this succulent by planting it in rich, moisture-retaining potting soil or treating it as an indoor houseplant. Grow it outdoors in lean, gritty, highly porous mineral substrates with maximum sun exposure to maintain tight, colorful rosettes and prevent fatal crown rot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Grow in highly porous, sandy, or stony mineral soils with excellent drainage.
Remove spent mother rosettes cleanly at their base after they finish flowering.
Provide full sun to maintain the tight, symmetrical shape and deep tip coloration.

Don't

Do not plant in rich, organic, or moisture-retaining garden soils.
Never allow the plant to sit in waterlogged or soggy substrate.
Avoid overwatering during periods of high summer humidity.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Fertilize
Pest Check
Propagate
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensCrevice gardensTroughs and containersGroundcover for dry, sunny slopesGreen roofs

Companion Plants

Sedum spathulifolium Saxifraga Thymus praecox Dianthus gratianopolitanus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Mountain Houseleek questions

What zones can Mountain Houseleek grow in?

Mountain Houseleek is hardy in USDA Zones 4–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Mountain Houseleek deer resistant?

Yes — Mountain Houseleek is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Mountain Houseleek bloom?

Mountain Houseleek typically blooms in early summer through mid-summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Mountain Houseleek need full sun?

Mountain Houseleek does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Mountain Houseleek drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Mountain Houseleek handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.