Sempervivum tectorum | Hens and Chicks, Houseleek, Roof House Leek

Crassulaceae (Stonecrop or Orpine Family) Pronounced Crass-you-lay-see-eye

Pronounced sem-per-VEE-vum   Tek-TOR-um

The name "Sempervivum" is Laten for "live forever" (semper=always; vivus=living) which references the ease of the plant in spreading. The name "tectorum" means "of roofs."

The name houseleek is because it grows on thatched roofs in Europe. I find it strange, however, that the word "leek" is used as it is a vegetable that looks nothing like this plant. They are unrelated. The old Anglo Saxon word for plant was “leac,” hence "houseplant."

These are succulent plants that do well over the Winter outdoors.

The original rosette is called the "hen." The plant puts off offsets that are called the "chicks." This is how the plant spreads. The hen will bloom in 2 to 3 years, and after the bloom dies, the hen should be removed because it will die. I suppose this is important in a small pot such as mine. The bloom shoot should come from the middle of the rosette.

The chicks can be detached and replanted to propegate the plant after they are allowed to grow roots and the stem begins to whither.

The leaves are thick and fleshy in a rosette, and the pointed tips may be purple.

The plant likes full sun and well-draining soil. It likes afternoon shade. It likes sandy or rocky soil, and even tolerates poor soil. It is a survivor! That is, unless you water it too much. It likes the desert-like environment.

The plant tucks well into crevices of stone walls, or the planter that is made especially for it.

It is important, as a succulent, to avoid overwatering. For years my hubby kept drowning the plant watering it every day! My plant is in a pot that was my Grandma and Grandpa Geile's, so it is important to me to keep this plant living forever, like the name! Also, my brother, who has died, and my Mom have always had Hens and Chicks as well. I have never been successful at growing them until I finally moved the planter to a place where hubby could not easily reach with the hose and then it began to survive!

Photos taken July 2025.