Succulent sempervivums, or houseleeks, are easy to grow and propagate as long as they’re in full sun and well-drained soil.
In older plants, the bright rosettes of leaves will suddenly erupt into flower and die, but younger rosettes around them soon fill the space.
Propagating from these offsets allows you to fill areas of rock gardens, walls, gravel and paving.
Related content:
- Caring for sempervivums – Golden Rules (video)
- Growing sempervivums
- Seven projects for a winter greenhouse
Where to buy sempervivums online:
- Gardening Express – multi pack of six different sempervivum varieties
- Crocus – a number of varieties available in individual pots (7.5-12cm), collections and as a pre-planted trough
- Thompson & Morgan – larger specimens sold in 1 litre pots
Looking for Alpine troughs? Try:
Follow the easy steps in this guide to propagate your sempervivums.
You Will Need
- Pencil or dibber
- Multi-purpose compost with horticultural grit added
- Small pots, Terracotta pots are best for sempervivums
Step 1
Cup your hand over the plants and turn the pot upside down. Tap the rim on a bench and knock the plants gently out of the pot.
Step 2
The small rosettes growing out of the main plant can be pulled or snipped off, leaving a short stem and maybe some roots.
Step 3
Plant the offsets into small pots using a dibber to firm them into a gritty compost. Mulch with grit and water after a couple of days.
