Chicks and hens (Sempervivum tectorum) is a mat-forming succulent native to Europe and Africa. Its growth practice includes fleshy pointed leaves set up in rosettes. The moms and dad rosette are the “hen” and the smaller rosettes that grow from it are the “chicks.”
Gradually, this ground-hugging plant with a fondness for sandy, gravelly soil will spread to form nests 2 feet wide or more. Generally grown for its interesting shape and succulent leaves (generally red, green, blue, gold, or copper), hens and chicks does sometimes flower on high stalks.
Hens and chicks have a moderately quick development rate and are finest planted in spring– nevertheless, if you wish to grow new plants from seed, you can start planting them in the Autumn period so the young plants are ready to go into the garden in the Spring. They also make a terrific houseplant.
Common Name: Hens and chicks, house leek
Botanical Name: Sempervivum tectorum
Family: Crassulaceae
Plant Type: Succulent, evergreen perennial
Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall, 6–18 in. wide
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Sandy, well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral soil pH (7.0)
Bloom Time: Summer
Flower Color: Light pink, reddish-purple
Hardiness Zones: 3–11 (USDA)
Native Area: Europe, Africa
How To Take Care Of Hens And Chicks – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
Hens and chicks will succeed when planted in just about any well-drained soil in full sun to light shade, but its enthusiasm for sandy, gravelly soil makes it a preferred choice for rock gardens, wall crevices, and other locations where other plants battle.
Its care needs are very little; the worst thing you can do is over-tend it with too much water and fertilizer.
Fully grown plants may send up flower stalks in summertime, but the main rosette (the hen) will die after blooming, at which time you will need to remove it, enabling the balanced out chicks to continue the nest.
Light – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
Grow your hens and chicks plants completely sun (at least six hours’ day-to-day), which will result in both optimum coloration in the foliage, in addition to plentiful offsets. That being said, the plants can grow in partial shade as well, specifically if being looked after in a specifically hot, dry environment. The colors of the foliage might not be as extreme in partial shade.
Soil – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
Chicks and hens plants are especially nonchalant about their soil and will grow best in a mix that is sandy or gravelly. The primary soil requirement for the plant is that it is well-draining.
The finest potting medium is a mix developed for succulents and cactus if you’re growing your plants in a container.
Water – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
Hens and chicks are drought-tolerant perennials, so they can hold up against going weeks at a time without watering. Give newly transplanted plants sufficient water to help them get developed, once they are, take care not to over-water them.
Inspect the soil and make sure it is dry prior to watering.
Temperature And Humidity – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
Chicks and hens can be successfully grown in a range of temperatures, however prefer a typical environment between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
If temperatures drop too low, they will not necessarily die off but will definitely stop growing and go into a semi-dormant state. Furthermore, chicks and hens endure a vast array of humidity levels and are rather popular in dry climates.
Fertilizer – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
This ground cover will prosper in poor soils. They appreciate a slow-release fertilizer designed for succulents or cactus that’s low in nitrogen and includes helpful soil microorganisms. Be careful no to over fertilize.
Hens And Chicks Species Types – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
You may discover this plant offered in two types variations: Sempervivum tectorum var. Arvernense, which feature leaves that are covered with velvet-like hairs; and Sempervivum tectorum var. tectorum, with smooth leaves edged with hairs.
Commercially, there are numerous cultivars of S. tectorum offered, reproduced for various foliage colors and shapes:
- ‘Bernstein’ has copper and gold leaves.
- ‘Huge Blue’ is an attractive variation with bluish-green leaves.
- ‘Black’ is a spectacular version with green leaves that have purple tips.
- ‘Terracotta Infant’ is a range with lively orange-red foliage.
- ‘Claudia’ has big rosettes with bright red leaves.
- ‘Herringer Rose’ is tinged with brown-red leaves and has about 5-inch rosettes
- ‘Launcelot’ has brownish-red leaves.
- ‘Morgenrote’ is a beautiful cultivar including plumb-red leaves edges with green.
- ‘Pelora’ is an unusual mutant range with intense green, bullet-shaped leaves.
Other types of this genus are also offered, normally as houseplants. As they do not have any species title, usually can group them together as Sempervivum.
How To Propagate Hens And Chicks – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
To propagate the hens and chicks plant, just split the offsets (the “chicks”) from the moms and dad plant (the “hen”), protecting the roots of each, if possible. Here’s how:
Utilizing a small trowel, transplant the offsets into well-drained soil, developing a shallow hole where you can spread out the roots.
Cover the soil to the outer rim of the plant and gently compact around the roots.
You can provide the offset a light watering, however let the new plant dry in between waterings. Plants will spread by themselves under perfect conditions.
All You Need To Know About Growing Hens And Chicks From Seed
In addition to propagating by digging up the balanced out chicks, you can also grow hens and chicks from the seeds that are produced if a mature plant produces flowers. Collect the seeds from the pods left after the flowers fade, and sprinkle them on top of pots filled with cactus/succulent potting mix.
Lightly dampen the mix and place the pot in an intense area; the seeds ought to grow within 3 weeks. At that point, you can include some great gravel and mulch. Seeds from hybrid plants might not produce plants that are real to the moms and dads.
How To Pot And Repot Hens And Chicks – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
This plant makes an excellent potted specimen when planted in a shallow, well-drained container filled with a cactus/succulent potting mix. Utilize a clay pot, which will wick moisture to prevent overwatering. Chicks and hens can be grown alone as a small cluster nest, or in a big container as one plant in a mixed group of succulents or miniature rock garden.
Overwintering Your Hens And Chicks (House Leek) – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
Hens and chicks do not require winter cold security, however they feel bitter wet winter conditions, so it’s finest to clean away ground particles to keep gathered moisture from introducing rot.
Outdoor potted plants go through temperature extremes in cold winter zones, so place them in a sheltered area, or bring them inside your home for the winter.
Don’t Let Pests And Diseases Ruin Your Hens And Chicks – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
Hens and chicks that are grown indoors, in a greenhouse, or in overly-moist conditions tend to have the biggest problem with insects, frequently in the form of mealy bugs and aphids.
If you notice signs of an infestation, try to eliminate the bugs using a cotton swab or cotton ball took in rubbing alcohol. You can also deal with the plants with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Moist conditions or poor drain can encourage a variety of fungal leaf areas or root rot. Keeping these plants in dry conditions is the very best method to forestall these issues.
How To Make Your Hens And Chicks To Bloom – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
These plants are grown for their foliage and geometric growth habit, so flowering is not always preferable. These are plants that usually propagate themselves vegetatively, not through seeds, so blooming can even be a sign of poor conditions.2.
Should you desire the plant to flower (such as if you wish to explore seed propagation), you can deliberately worry the plant by shading it.
How To Take Care Of Hens And Chicks – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
In ideal conditions, hens and chicks are a quite carefree plant. It’s frequently because the plant is getting too much water when issues happen.
Leaves Turn Soft – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
When the leaves turn soft and start to wilt, it is usually because overly damp conditions are causing the plant to rot. The roots might already be decaying, so the very best solution is to collect the plant, split off any of the “chick” rosettes that are still intact, and discard the bad areas.
It suggests your soil requires having enhanced drain by changing it with sand or gravel if this is a regular event.
Rosettes Die – The Best Way To Grow And Care For Hens and Chicks (House Leek)
After then mother rosette produces flowers and sets seed, naturally it will die back. Paradoxically, this plant is more likely to flower and subsequently die if it is getting excessive water or too much fertilizer.