Sempervivum, Hen-and-Chickens, Houseleek, Old Man & Woman, Roof House Leek 'Oddity'

Sempervivumtectorum

Family
Crassulaceae (krass-yoo-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Sempervivum (sem-per-VEE-vum)
Species
tectorum (tek-TOR-um)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Textured
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Pink
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Perennials
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Suitable for growing in containers
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Carlsbad, California

Clayton, California

Reseda, California

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Gold Hill, Oregon

Christiana, Tennessee

Clarksville, Tennessee

South Jordan, Utah

White Center, Washington

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Tomah, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
O
Napier, WV (Zone 5b) | November 2006 | positive

My 'Oddity' occasionally has a tendency to mutate with completely flat leaves. Could 'Oddity" have been a seedling from 'Emrald Giant'? I...Read More

H
| March 2005 | positive

Grows and spreads in poor soil with little water and here in Oaxaca, Mexico makes a wonderful ground cover. Propagates as easily as any p...Read More

D
D
vernon, BC (Zone 6a) | August 2004 | positive

I just love this sempervivum and it certainly is an 'oddity',looks great in an alpine or in a desert scape garden. Easy to just break of...Read More

H
Northern California, CA | April 2004 | positive

‘Oddity’ was developed by American succulent enthusiast Sandy McPherson, was introduced to gardeners in 1977, and won the 1978 Bronze...Read More

Featured
Tabanid Fly
(Scaptia maculiventris)
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
(Nyctanassa violacea)
Featured
Tabanid Fly
(Scaptia maculiventris)
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
(Nyctanassa violacea)