Common Houseleek
A hardy succulent rosette with fleshy green leaves, thriving in bright dry conditions — ideal for windowsills and rock gardens.
Full SunCompact ScaleWindowsill PlantNon-Toxic
Ornamental, Ornamental Foliage, Medicinalalso known as: Hen and chicks, House Leek
Assessment
Is This For Me?
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Light ExposureinfoIndoor light recommendation based on the plant's native habitat. "Bright indirect" means near a window but shielded from direct rays.
Direct Sun Tolerant — Provide appropriate light conditions.
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Watering HabitinfoHow forgiving this plant is when you miss a watering or accidentally overwater. High tolerance means more room for error.
High — Water when soil surface is dry.
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Maintenance DifficultyinfoOverall ease of care rating. Beginner-friendly plants communicate their needs clearly through visible signs.
Medium — Needs basic observation skills.
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Spatial RequirementinfoExpected mature size in a typical indoor environment. Actual size depends on light, pot size, and growing conditions.
Compact — Fits a range of indoor spaces.
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Seasonal BehaviourinfoHow this plant's growth changes with the seasons. Use this to adjust your care routine throughout the year.
Warm Season Only — Thrives in heat. May go fully dormant when temperatures drop.
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Temperature NeedsinfoThis range represents the plant's survival tolerance. Optimal growing temperatures are typically 5-10°C higher than the minimum.
-20°C – 35°C — Cool-Tolerant — Standard indoor is warm enough. Tolerates cooler rooms — no special heating needed.
Appearance & Space
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Leaf Size
infoSmaller than 5 cm — typical of delicate, fine-textured plants like baby tears or creeping sedums.Small
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Leaf Surface
infoFlat and velvety with no reflections. Light is absorbed evenly for a calm, muted look.Matte
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Leaf Texture
infoPlump and water-filled — press gently and it feels spongy. Designed to store moisture.Succulent
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Leaf Shape
infoBroad and rounded at the tip, narrowing toward the base — like an inverted spoon.Spatulate
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Leaf Type
infoOne continuous leaf blade, even if it has holes or shallow lobes (like Monstera).Simple
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Visual Form
infoLeaves radiate from the centre in a circular pattern. Star-like from above.Rosette
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Foliage Density
infoPartially filled — some gaps but overall good coverage. A natural, balanced look.Moderate
Size Gauge
Height
Compact / Desk (0.2m)
Spread
Compact (0.35m)
Display Position
Windowsill, Plant Stand, Floor
Perfect for
Sunny Windowsill, Rock Garden, Stone Wall, Green Roof, Alpine House, Sunny Balcony, Dry Corners
Color Palette
Mid Green
Blue Green
Core Care Logic
01
How Often to Water
Let the soil dry out almost completely before watering again. When in doubt, wait two more days.
02
Finding the Right Light
Can handle direct sunlight, but introduce it gradually over a week to prevent leaf burn.
03
Choosing the Right Soil
Go for a chunky, open mix — think orchid bark, perlite, and a bit of horticultural charcoal. Avoid dense, peat-heavy soils.
04
Temperature & Humidity
Happy in cooler rooms — anywhere between -20–35°C is fine. Avoid placing near radiators or heat vents. No humidity concerns — normal indoor air is perfectly fine.
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What to Expect
This is a steady, moderate grower — repot every couple of years and mostly takes care of itself. Just remove the occasional yellow leaf.
What Makes It Special
Succulent with monocarpic life cycle where individual rosettes die after flowering, but colonies persist indefinitely through offsets (chicks) that spread from the mother rosette (hen).
auto_awesomeAwarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), indicating superior garden performance and reliability.
auto_awesomeHighly drought tolerant due to water-storing fleshy leaves, thriving in sandy or gravelly soils with sharp drainage. Capable of surviving near total neglect once established.
Botanical Archive
Crassulaceae · Sempervivum
Sempervivum tectorum L.
Albania, Austria, France
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Botanical Archive
Crassulaceae · Sempervivum
Sempervivum tectorum L.
Albania, Austria, France
Storage and Survival Organ
Fleshy Leaves
How this plant survives unfavorable seasons
Seasonal Growth Cycle
Seasonal Warm Active
When to expect new growth and feed actively
Clonal Spread
Basal Offsets
How this plant naturally expands in a pot
Root Sensitivity
Low
How carefully you should handle roots during repotting
Attachment Strategy
Terrestrial
How this plant anchors itself in its native environment
Root System
Fine Fibrous
The structure and behavior of the root system
Light Ecology
Full Exposure
The light environment this plant evolved to thrive in
Growth Habit
Monocarpic Rosette
How persistent and structural the plant tissue is