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Sempervivum tectorum
Dach-Hauswurz · (Sempervivum tectorum)
Stonecrop family (Crassulaceae)
Description
Traditionally planted on thatched and tiled roofs to ward off lightning and fire, this hardy succulent of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) forms tightly packed, fleshy leaf rosettes that withstand blazing sun and drought. The fresh, moisture-rich leaves contain malic acid, tannins, the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol, and mucilage among other constituents. Traditionally, the pressed leaf juice or a halved leaf is applied directly to minor wounds, insect stings or irritated skin; in folk use an infusion also serves for mild digestive complaints. Applied externally, houseleek is considered well tolerated, while ingesting larger amounts internally can cause nausea and vomiting, so internal use should be limited to small amounts and short duration.
Fresh leaf juice or halved succulent leaves are applied directly to minor wounds, burns, insect stings, and sunburn. The cooling, astringent action (tannins, mucilage) relieves burning and supports wound healing.
Preparation & dosage
Poultice from crushed leaves for burns, abrasions, and inflamed skin. Dioscorides and Galen recorded use for skin diseases and eye inflammation; Marcellus Empiricus mentions compresses for contusions.
Preparation & dosage
Houseleek salve from leaf juice combined with beeswax or lard is used in folk medicine for eczema, warts, corns, and irritated skin. PFAF notes the plant as a wart remedy; the astringency of tannins helps shrink excess tissue.
Juice from fresh leaves was historically used for skin care and to reduce freckles (documented in medieval household books). Also known as a cooling application for sunburn and insect stings.
In folk medicine, a tea from the leaves was occasionally used for diarrhoea. A mixture of juice and honey against thrush (oral candidiasis) is also recorded. Internal use is uncommon and historically little documented; emetic in excess.
Preparation & dosage
Pour 200 ml of hot water over 1–2 g of dried leaves, steep for 8 minutes, strain. Use only short-term and in small amounts.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
Young leaves of common houseleek are edible (slightly sour, mildly astringent due to malic acid) and were used as a food supplement in times of scarcity; today occasionally grown as an ornamental succulent in rock gardens.
Hildegard von Bingen recommended houseleek juice for various applications including external use. The polyphenols (quercetin, kaempferol glycosides, kämpferol) were identified in 1999 in J. Agric. Food Chem. and show antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.
Well tolerated externally. Internal intake of larger amounts can cause nausea and vomiting (emetic) — use only small amounts and short-term internally. No known systemic toxicity with appropriate use.
No reliable safety data for use during pregnancy. External application is considered safe; avoid internal use as a precaution.
No reliable data on safety during breastfeeding. External use is safe; avoid internal use as a precaution.
External use (e.g. for insect stings) is considered safe. Modern safety data for internal use in children are lacking — consultation with a health professional recommended.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to plants of the family Crassulaceae.
Harvested part: fresh leaves
- Time of day:
- Harvest in the morning or evening when succulence (water content) is highest and midday heat is avoided.
- Drying:
- Fresh leaves can be used directly. For drying, spread thinly at max. 40 °C; the high water content requires longer drying time (3–5 days).
- Storage:
- 6 months — Store dried material dark and dry in airtight jars. Fresh use immediately — leaf juice keeps in the refrigerator for approx. 2–3 days.
- Time of day:
- Harvestable year-round (succulent, evergreen). Outside of frost periods, fresh leaves can be harvested at any time.
- Drying:
- Fresh use is preferred. If needed, break off individual leaves — the plant regenerates quickly via stolons.
- Storage:
- 1 months — Fresh leaves wrapped in a damp cloth in the refrigerator last 1–2 weeks.
- Apfelsäure (Malic acid)OtherContent: 5–15 %Leaf
Main organic acid of the succulent leaves; responsible for sour taste and seasonal acid content (CAM metabolism). Kull (1968) described the annual cycle in detail.
- Tannine (kondensierte und hydrolisierbare Gerbstoffe)TanninLeaf
Astringent tannins; responsible for the contracting effect on skin and mucous membranes and the antimicrobial activity.
- Quercetin und Quercetin-GlykosideFlavonoidLeaf
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonol; Abram & Donko (1999) identified quercetin glycosides as main polyphenols in S. tectorum.
- Kaempferol und Kaempferol-GlykosideFlavonoidLeaf
Further major flavonol with antimicrobial and antioxidant activity; demonstrated in J. Agric. Food Chem. 1999.
- Schleimstoffe (Polysaccharide)MucilageLeaf
High-molecular polysaccharides giving the plant its water-rich, gelatinous texture and explaining the cooling, soothing effect on skin.
- Phenolsäuren (Caffeoyl- und Hydroxyzimtsäure-Derivate)Phenolic acidAerial parts
Phenolic carboxylic acid derivatives with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties; accompanying polyphenols alongside flavonoids.
- Triterpene (u. a. Friedelin, Epifriedelanol)OtherLeaf
Typical Crassulaceae triterpenes; protective function in the plant wax layer and anti-inflammatory activity.
- Mineralien (Kalium, Kalzium, Silizium)MineralLeaf
The succulent common houseleek accumulates minerals; potassium and silicon contribute to cell wall stability.
- [1]MonographAbram V, Donko M. Tentative Identification of Polyphenols in Sempervivum tectorum and Assessment of the Antimicrobial Activity of Sempervivum L. J Agric Food Chem. 1999;47(2):485-489.(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [2]MonographKull U. Die Jahresperiodik einiger nichtflüchtiger Carbonsäuren in Sempervivum tectorum L. Planta. 1968;83(4):338-352.(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [3]MonographPaniagua-Zambrana NY, Bussmann RW, Kikvidze Z. Sempervivum globiferum L. Sempervivum marmoreum Griseb. Sempervivum tectorum L. Crassulaceae. In: Ethnobotany of the Mountain Regions of Eastern Europe. 2024.(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [4]MonographCABI. Sempervivum tectorum. CABI Compendium. 2019.(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [5]MonographSempervivum tectorum — Plants For A Future (PFAF)(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [6]WikipediaDach-Hauswurz (Wikipedia DE)(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [7]WikipediaSempervivum tectorum (Wikipedia EN)(accessed: 2026-05-24)