Hairy Houseleek Plant Care
Sempervivum ciliosum Craib
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sempervivum ciliosum, the Teneriffe houseleek is a species of flowering plant in the succulent stonecrop family, Crassulaceae, native to the Balkans and Southeastern Europe. Despite a superficial resemblance, houseleeks are not closely related to the American cacti family.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hairy Houseleek?
Water Hairy Houseleek every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 30–60% humidity.
Where Is the Hairy Houseleek Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Hairy Houseleek?
Hairy Houseleek (Sempervivum ciliosum) belongs to the Crassulaceae family within the Sempervivum genus. Hairy Houseleek is native to the Balkans and Southeastern Europe. Hairy Houseleek is also known as Houseleek.
Hairy Houseleek displays a low rosette, clumping habit growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Hairy Houseleek produces small star-shaped flowers in various colors.
How Often Should You Water a Hairy Houseleek?
Sempervivum ciliosum requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Hairy Houseleek Need?
Hairy Houseleek thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hairy Houseleek Prefer?
Sempervivum ciliosum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Hairy Houseleek prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hairy Houseleek?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Hairy Houseleek to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Hairy Houseleek?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Hairy Houseleek?
Hairy Houseleek can be propagated through offsets (chicks) and seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pitton's houseleek plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hairy Houseleek Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hairy Houseleek, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Hairy Houseleek?
Hairy Houseleek is susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Hairy Houseleek Need?
Hairy Houseleek grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hairy Houseleek is native to the Balkans and Southeastern Europe. In cooler regions, grow Hairy Houseleek as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Hairy Houseleek is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Sempervivum genus — compare its care with other Sempervivum species on PlantoScan.
Sempervivum is part of the Crassulaceae plant family — browse all Crassulaceae genera and species.
Hairy Houseleek thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Sempervivum Species
Other Sempervivum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sempervivum ciliosum Craib, family Crassulaceae (first published in Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1914: 379 (1914)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hairy Houseleek, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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