When gardeners are looking for any succulents, they come and look here and just say WOW you have lots. One full rack of just succulents and part of these are what we call Hens and Chicks. Here is what I found out about these plants.
Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) are low growing evergreen succulent plants that look a little like rubbery roses. They are considered alpine or rock garden plants, because of their hardiness and drought resistance. The original rosette, the ‘Hen’ produces tiny rosette offsets that are known as the ‘Chicks’. The name Sempervivium is Latin for “live forever”. They don’t really live forever, but since they produce the ‘chicks’ or plantlets, they seem to last forever. They are called Hens and Chicks, Houseleek, Roof House Leek. Grow in zones USDA Hardiness Zones 3 - 11. Sun exposure Full sun to Partial Shade.
Hens and chicks plants are low growing clusters of rosettes. They remain evergreen throughout the year. Hens and Chicks are tough, drought-resistant plants. Leaves: Thick, fleshy pads arranged in 3-4" rosettes. The leaves are usually pointed and some have purple tips.There are varieties with green leaves and shades of red.
Flowers: Mature plants produce an odd looking thick flower stalk with star-shaped flowers at the tip in mauve-pink or red. The flower stalk extends 8 - 12" before blooming. Once the plant blooms, the mother plant dies. A seasonal gardener told me as she was walking around the rack when one was blooming, that is the rooster. Never have read that but I think that is good. Also I was told that the mother plant will die from where the bloom started.
Design Suggestions: Rock gardens, or even the crevices in a rock wall, provide the perfect balance of drainage, radiant heat and root protection. Another classic use is in strawberry pots, although you’ll need to divide them as they outgrow the pot. They are also a natural with hypertufa planters. They are perfect for the Junque planters we use out of old junk.
Soil: Hens and Chicks, as with most succulents, need excellent drainage. Poor, sandy soil would be just fine. You could work some peat into heavier soil, to lighten them and improve drainage. Soil pH should be in the neutral range, 6.6 to 7.5.. Don’t plant your Hens and Chicks too deeply. Dig a shallow hole and spread the roots. Cover to the crown of the plant and tamp the soil gently so that the plant is firm in the ground. Water lightly, but you don’t need to water newly planted Hens and Chicks every day, the way you would with non-succulents. Hens and Chicks need to let their roots dry out between waterings.
Dividing Hens & Chicks: Hens and Chicks will spread by underground roots. Each plant multiplies by at last 4, in a growing season, by producing little offset plantlets all around the perimeter of the ‘Hen’. These are the ‘Chicks’. The Chicks can be snapped off and replanted elsewhere at any time. Once established, maintenance of hens and chicks is minimal. You’ll need to remove the old hens, after they flower, and divide chicks as needed. Except in extremely hot, dry situations, you won’t even need to give them supplemental water. No fertilizer is needed. Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa
Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) are low growing evergreen succulent plants that look a little like rubbery roses. They are considered alpine or rock garden plants, because of their hardiness and drought resistance. The original rosette, the ‘Hen’ produces tiny rosette offsets that are known as the ‘Chicks’. The name Sempervivium is Latin for “live forever”. They don’t really live forever, but since they produce the ‘chicks’ or plantlets, they seem to last forever. They are called Hens and Chicks, Houseleek, Roof House Leek. Grow in zones USDA Hardiness Zones 3 - 11. Sun exposure Full sun to Partial Shade.
Hens and chicks plants are low growing clusters of rosettes. They remain evergreen throughout the year. Hens and Chicks are tough, drought-resistant plants. Leaves: Thick, fleshy pads arranged in 3-4" rosettes. The leaves are usually pointed and some have purple tips.There are varieties with green leaves and shades of red.
Flowers: Mature plants produce an odd looking thick flower stalk with star-shaped flowers at the tip in mauve-pink or red. The flower stalk extends 8 - 12" before blooming. Once the plant blooms, the mother plant dies. A seasonal gardener told me as she was walking around the rack when one was blooming, that is the rooster. Never have read that but I think that is good. Also I was told that the mother plant will die from where the bloom started.
Design Suggestions: Rock gardens, or even the crevices in a rock wall, provide the perfect balance of drainage, radiant heat and root protection. Another classic use is in strawberry pots, although you’ll need to divide them as they outgrow the pot. They are also a natural with hypertufa planters. They are perfect for the Junque planters we use out of old junk.
Soil: Hens and Chicks, as with most succulents, need excellent drainage. Poor, sandy soil would be just fine. You could work some peat into heavier soil, to lighten them and improve drainage. Soil pH should be in the neutral range, 6.6 to 7.5.. Don’t plant your Hens and Chicks too deeply. Dig a shallow hole and spread the roots. Cover to the crown of the plant and tamp the soil gently so that the plant is firm in the ground. Water lightly, but you don’t need to water newly planted Hens and Chicks every day, the way you would with non-succulents. Hens and Chicks need to let their roots dry out between waterings.
Dividing Hens & Chicks: Hens and Chicks will spread by underground roots. Each plant multiplies by at last 4, in a growing season, by producing little offset plantlets all around the perimeter of the ‘Hen’. These are the ‘Chicks’. The Chicks can be snapped off and replanted elsewhere at any time. Once established, maintenance of hens and chicks is minimal. You’ll need to remove the old hens, after they flower, and divide chicks as needed. Except in extremely hot, dry situations, you won’t even need to give them supplemental water. No fertilizer is needed. Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa
