Sempervivum tectorum (triste)
Product details
| Management number | 250425189 | Release Date | 2026/09/17 | List Price | US$3.20 | Model Number | 250425189 | ||
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- Description
- Sempervivum tectorum (triste) Care Guide
- FAQ/Common Issues
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Sempervivum tectorum, also called Roof Houseleek, is a frost-hardy succulent in the Crassulaceae family native to mountainous regions of Europe, from the Alps and Pyrenees to the Carpathians. This cold-hardy rosette plant has been cultivated for centuries, growing on rooftops and stone walls as a heirloom and living piece of garden history.
Tight, symmetrical rosettes form with fleshy, pointed leaves in grey-green to bronze tones that deepen in cool weather or bright light. The leaf tips are distinctly darker, giving each rosette a moody appearance. It grows upright and clustering, spreading steadily outward as the mother rosette produces offsets, creating a natural wide spreader for rock gardens and container arrangements.
Tall flower stalks emerge in summer topped with star-shaped blooms in shades of pink to reddish-pink, triggered in part by night temperature drops. After the mother rosette flowers, it completes its life cycle and dies back, but the surrounding offset rosettes continue growing, keeping the clump full.
Move it outside in summer; it handles balcony wind without trouble and can stay outdoors well into autumn. Cover it from prolonged heavy rain to prevent rot. Rotate potted plants occasionally for even growth. It is pet-safe and virtually pest-free.
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Sempervivum tectorum grows well in bright indirect light but tolerates direct sun, avoiding only intense south-facing glass that scorches leaves.
Water it every 10-14 days during the growing season, allowing soil to dry completely between waterings.
Sempervivum tectorum grows best in fast-draining gritty soil, such as cactus mix blended with perlite or coarse sand.
It handles temperatures from 30°F down to -40°F, making it exceptionally frost-tolerant.
Sempervivum tectorum is a slow to moderate grower that needs no regular fertilizing, thriving on lean soil.
It is hardy in USDA zones 3-8, tolerating frost down to around -40°F in the right conditions. It grows outdoors across the northern tier from Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, and into Tennessee, North Carolina, and Oregon. It also succeeds in the cooler zones of Washington, northern California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama.
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Q: Is Sempervivum tectorum safe for cats and dogs?
A: It is non-toxic and safe for household pets.
Q: How do I propagate this plant?
A: Sempervivum tectorum propagates easily by separating the offset "chicks" from the mother rosette and replanting them in well-draining soil.
Q: How fast does Sempervivum tectorum grow?
A: It is a slow to moderate grower that gradually spreads by producing offsets over time.
Q: What window placement works best for light?
A: Sempervivum tectorum grows well in bright indirect light near any window that receives good daylight; avoid placing it directly behind intense south-facing glass in peak afternoon sun.
Q: Can Roof Houseleek survive outdoors through winter?
A: It survives outdoors year-round in its hardiness zones and benefits from shelter from prolonged heavy rain to avoid rot.
Q: What soil type does it need?
A: Roof Houseleek needs a fast-draining mix such as cactus soil blended with perlite or coarse sand to prevent water from sitting around the roots.
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Succulent
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