If you’re a succulent-lover, this plant is for you.
A favorite of our grandmothers, hens and chicks plants(Sempervivumspp.)
are popular once again with gardeners looking for a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plant.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
The darling of today’sxeriscapefans, this succulent is appreciated for its easy-care nature and tolerance for extremely dry conditions.
While most often found in shades of green, hens and chicks plants come in a variety of colors.
Some plants even change color depending on the amount of sunlight they receive.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
In the right conditions, green plants form red tips; sometimes, the entire plant turns red.
Other varieties form intricate cobweb patterns on the tips of the leaves, which adds intriguing texture.
Avoid planting it during the heat of the summer or in late fall.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Choose a full-sun location with sandy or well-draining soil.
Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball.
It won’t be large; the plant has shallow roots.
Credit: Tim Murphy
Press down on the soil gently and water the plant.
If planting multiple hens and chicks plants, space them at least 12-18 inches apart.
They will spread in time.
Credit: Cynthia Haynes
Hens and Chicks Plants Care Tips
Light
Hens and chicks plantsthrive in full sun.
When growing indoors, situate hens and chicks in a location where they’ll get plenty of bright light.
Soil and Water
Hens and chicks grows best inwell-drained soil.
Credit: Jo-Ann Richards
They don’t require rich soil; they grow well in poor soil.
Water them rarely; too much moisture causes this plant to rot and die.
Temperature and Humidity
Hens and chicks plants thrive in warm weatherideally 65F to 75F.
During cold weather, they stop growing and go into semi-dormancy.
The plants tolerate low and average humidity well.
In areas of high humidity, they grow better inindoor containers, where the humidity is average.
Fertilizer
Hens and chicks seldom need fertilizer.
They grow well in poor soil.
If anything, apply abalanced, all-purpose fertilizerin spring at half the quantity specified in the product directions.
Don’t fertilize at all in summer or cold weather.
Pruning
Hens and chicks plants don’t require pruning.
This plant doesn’t have a large root ball but will spread.
Don’t overwater the plant; water only when the top 1 inch of soil is dry.
Eventually, the container may crack as the hen adds chicks, and the colony grows.
When this crowding occurs, remove several of the chicks and repot the plant.
Your friends will be happy to take them off your hands.
Pests and Problems
Hens and chicks are hard to kill and resistant to many pests.
Root rot is a threat to the plant.
Don’t overwater it or plant it in a water-retaining planting medium.
Set the small chick in a shallow hole, spreading and covering the roots.
Lightly moisten the soil, but don’t continue watering daily.
Water only when the planting medium is dry.
To propagate from seed, harvest the seeds by cutting the flower stalk when one of the plants blooms.
Put it in a paper bag in a warm, dry place.
Shake the bag occasionally.
Keep the planting medium moist (not wet) until the seeds germinate.
Transplant them in the garden in spring.
It grows 4 inches tall and 10 inches wide.
It grows up to 4 inches tall and 10 inches wide.
Some of them are marketed with millennials in mind.
Hens and Chicks Companion Plants
Yarrow
Yarrowgives a wildflower lookto any garden.
It is a native plant and easy to care for.
Its colorful, flat-top blooms rise above clusters of ferny foliage.
If deadheaded after its first flush of blooms fades, yarrow will rebloom.
If left to dry on the plant, flower clusters of some types provide winter interest.
Flowers of yarrow are excellent, either in fresh or dried arrangements.
A small, tidy plant, it covers itself with adorable bobbing pink flowers.
It’s a charming groundcover, edging plant, or rock garden feature.
Also called sea pink, this tough plant tolerates wind and sea spray, and it is drought-tolerant.
They need well-drained soil to prevent root rot.
Sedum
Sedums arenearly the perfect plants.
Many are attractive even in winter when their foliage dies and is left standing.
They’re also drought-tolerant and need very little care.
They’re favorites of butterflies and useful bees.
The tall types are outstanding for cutting and drying.
Does it get better than that?
All thrive in full sun with good drainage.
Groundcover types do a good job of suppressing weeds but seldom tolerate foot traffic.
Some smaller ones are best grown in pots or treated as houseplants.
Those growing in containers may need to be moved inside.
Yes, but not before producing chicks to keep the clump alive.
