Plant care
Tree Houseleektemperature & humidity
Aeonium arboreum
More about tree houseleek
Ideal temperature for tree houseleek
Temperature kills fewer tree houseleek plants than you'd think. What kills them is the micro-climate within a normal-temperature room — a leaf pressed against single-glazed winter glass, the hot dry updraft directly above a radiator, the cold blast from an AC vent. The thermostat reading at 10-24C ideal; tolerates 5-35C, frost-tender below about 2C (50-75F ideal; tolerates 40-95F, frost-tender below about 28F) is fine; the spot you put the plant in matters more. Below roughly 10°C growth pauses; cold beyond that pushes it into dormancy rather than killing it outright.
Cold tolerance & winter care
Tree Houseleek is comparatively hardy (USDA USDA 9b-11 (RHS hardiness H1c; needs a minimum of about 5-10C / 41-50F and must be protected from frost), RHS undefined). Within that range it tolerates a cold dormant spell outdoors; outside it, grow it in a container you can move under cover or overwinter in a cool but frost-free spot. Hardiness assumes an established plant in well-drained soil — a wet, cold root zone kills far more plants than cold air alone.
Humidity for tree houseleek
Tree Houseleek sits happiest at around Low to average (around 30-50%) relative humidity. Humidity is not an important factor. As a Canary Islands succulent it tolerates dry indoor air well and actively dislikes damp, stagnant conditions. No misting is needed for health, though wiping foliage removes dust. The usual low-humidity tell is crisp brown leaf tips and edges while the soil moisture is fine — a sign the air, not the watering, is the problem. If you need to raise it, the reliable methods are grouping plants together, standing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (the pot above the waterline, never in it), or running a small humidifier in winter when indoor heating dries the air most. Misting is the least effective — it raises humidity for minutes, not hours.
Tree Houseleek temperature & humidity — frequently asked questions
What temperature is best for tree houseleek?
Tree Houseleek grows best between 10-24C ideal; tolerates 5-35C, frost-tender below about 2C (50-75F ideal; tolerates 40-95F, frost-tender below about 28F). Keep it out of cold draughts, off freezing windowsills in winter, and away from the hot dry air directly above radiators — the extremes matter far more than the average room temperature.
How cold can tree houseleek tolerate?
Tree Houseleek starts to suffer below roughly 10°C. It tolerates a cold dormant period within USDA USDA 9b-11 (RHS hardiness H1c; needs a minimum of about 5-10C / 41-50F and must be protected from frost), but a wet cold root zone is more dangerous than cold air.
What humidity does tree houseleek need?
Tree Houseleek prefers about Low to average (around 30-50%) relative humidity. Humidity is not an important factor. As a Canary Islands succulent it tolerates dry indoor air well and actively dislikes damp, stagnant conditions. No misting is needed for health, though wiping foliage removes dust.
How do I raise humidity for tree houseleek?
Group it with other plants, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (kept above the waterline), or run a small humidifier in winter. Misting only helps for a few minutes, so it is the weakest option for a plant that genuinely needs more humidity.
Can tree houseleek live outside?
Tree Houseleek is rated for USDA zone USDA 9b-11 (RHS hardiness H1c; needs a minimum of about 5-10C / 41-50F and must be protected from frost). Within that range it can stay outdoors; outside it, grow it in a moveable container and protect the roots from a wet, cold winter.
More tree houseleek care
In the UK? Keeping tree houseleek warm in a UK home covers the radiator, single-glazing and heating-season humidity angle. Temperature and humidity are one piece. See the full tree houseleek care guide, its cold-hardiness guide, and watering schedule — humidity and watering problems are easy to confuse.