Chicken & Hen Known as Sempervivum Sempervivum, which literally means “live forever,” derives from how quickly they develop and spread. Whatever you choose to call them—semps, hens and chicks, or houseleeks—these succulents are beautiful plants.
There is enough diversity in Hens and Chicks to keep you engaged for a lifetime. They are enjoyable and simple to grow. These succulents come in a wide variety of colors, forms, textures, and sizes thanks to the over 3,000 recognized sempervivum varieties.
Extremely Cold Hardy throughout the US
Hens and chicks can be grown all across the USA since they are hardy. Sempervivum prefer cool evenings and require a cold, dormant season to thrive. Zones 4–8 are best for cultivating them. Moving the plants inside a greenhouse or covering them during harsh winter weather may be advantageous in colder climates. Hairy cultivars and Jovibarba species also benefit from a piece of glass or transparent, hard plastic to protect them from winter rain.
Part sun to full sun
Sempervivums exhibit vivid colors when exposed to sunlight. Many types tend to fade to a basic green tint when planted in full shade. However, afternoon shadow can actually help plant colors stay longer in hotter summer climates including in the southern United States.
Sandy, Outstanding Drainage
The most crucial condition for Sempervivum is good drainage. Plant them in sandy soil, or improve the soil’s drainage by adding compost, potting soil, gravel, or vermiculite. Where other plants can’t grow, Hens and Chicks can. They thrive in areas with minimal soil, including gravel and gaps in rock walls, but if water builds up, the plants will perish. The ideal pH range for soil is between 6.6 to 7.5, which is considered neutral.
Low, Tolerant of Drought
Water well right away after transplanting. After that, wait a while before wetting the soil again. Although the leaves of these succulent plants retain water, they still require water to survive droughts. They will need to be watered more regularly in the summer heat. Avoid overwatering. Check the soil drainage and reduce watering if you notice your plants are having trouble.
Growing Hen & Chick Plants Hens and chicks can “live forever” because they produce a large number of progeny. Depending on the kind, babies are produced in varying quantities and rates. Anytime throughout the spring/summer growing season, sempervivums can be divided. The young chicks may be relocated or allowed to develop close to the mother hen.
Hens and chicks can be divided into three main categories: Sempervivum, Jovibarba heuffelii, and Jovibarba Rollers. Although they are all frequently referred to as Sempervivum, the ways in which they produce children vary.
Sempervivum These bear children on runners. Simply remove the chicks and place them somewhere else. When the runner starts to wither is the ideal time to remove the pups. Offsets take root fast and only need to come into contact with the soil to begin growing.
Heuffelii Jovibarba On stolons, this species does not produce “chicks.” Instead, this plant produces its children within the mother plant. It must be divided with a knife in order to reproduce.
Rollers Jovibarba The “chicks” produced by these hens and chicks are loosely attached, readily pop off, and roll away from the mother plant.
By using offsets to propagate, each cultivar’s traits are preserved. Sempervivum blooms yield seeds that typically result in plants that aren’t true to type.
A chick born from a hen plant will start having babies of its own after just one season. Sempervivum plants typically only live for three years, giving them two productive years before passing away. A Sempervivum has a tall center stalk that blooms before the plant dies after three years and after it has generated several baby plants. The plant will not survive if the center stalk is removed.
It is a lot of joy to raise hens and chicks, watch them develop, and watch them lay eggs. As they mature, as the weather changes, as they are exposed to the sun more, and other variables, their colors shift dramatically over the season. Give your plants adequate room to stretch out. For tiny plants, they should have four, and for large variety, six to eight. Rosettes with good form are produced in sufficient space.
Where should hens and chicks be planted?
What to plant there for hens and chicks. For the healthiest and fastest growth, plant hens and chicks in broad sun. In rock gardens, where heat is reflected off the rocks, succulents thrive. Place the main rosette’s crown, center, or both so that it is level with the soil, just like it was in the container it came in.
When should hen and chicks be planted?
As autumn arrives, vibrant hues are on show. In addition to the trees displaying their blazing fall colors, chickens and chicks also boost the ante. Sempervivum and jovibarba succulents exhibit beautiful reds thanks to the colder temperatures. Who wouldn’t be enticed to plant more of a variety like jovibarba rollers in their yard with their vibrant red tips? Therefore, it comes as no surprise that people start asking us a lot of questions like, “I really want to plant some more chickens and chicks, but is it too late in the year?”
You may always try things out with a few plants when using hardy hens and chicks. We are able to raise chickens and chicks outside all year long in our area of Oregon. Winter temperatures are not sustained for long enough to harm vegetation.
Sempervivums are actually very popular to plant in the fall. Although the foliage doesn’t increase much in size during the fall and winter, the roots expand. By planting in the fall, you can have sturdy, well-established plants that are prepared to spread and fill the growth area in the spring. As was already noted, chickens and chicks look fantastic at this time of year, and it is interesting to see how they adapt to the weather.
Even though sempervivum hens and chicks are quite cold-resistant, we advise planting them in the ground before winter arrives to increase their chances of survival. This implies that you should plant your hens and chicks 5-7 weeks before the ground freezes in your region. Thus, before being subjected to adverse conditions, your new plants will have plenty of time to develop their roots. Naturally, you can grow seeds all year round indoors, in a greenhouse, or in a protected environment.
Does poultry require full sun?
Hens and chicks are very resilient, despite the fact that succulents are known for being low-maintenance. Hens and chicks are common options for people who live in temperate areas because they go dormant in frigid temperatures. These small plants are tough, explains Hugo. They are one of the few succulents that can withstand both frost and snow. Hens and chicks are a popular choice for rock gardens since they require little soil. However, they also do well in pots and flowerbeds. Hens and chicks will tolerate little shade, but they prefer full sun. And while they do like some room to spread out, they can usually handle denser crowds. What is the only real danger to hens and chicks? a surplus of water. Their delicate roots, like those of many succulents, can perish from excessive moisture. Use a potting soil that is lightweight, quick-draining, and designed specifically for succulents for this purpose.
How frequently should I give my hens and chicks water?
Although hens and chicks are recognized for their toughness, it’s still a good idea to keep these suggestions in mind.
- 1. Develop hens and chicks in a climate that is moderate. Hens and chicks prefer a temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme heat will cause them to cease growing and go into a semi-dormant state.
- 2. Pick a position with direct sunlight. Hens and chicks need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to survive as outdoor succulents. Ample sunlight will encourage the growth of chicks and vibrant foliage.
- 3. Plant hens and baby chicks in sand. For rock gardens, hens and chicks are perfect since they thrive in rocky, sandy environments. Additionally, they thrive in flowerbeds with soil that drains well.
- Employ clay pots. Choose a clay container and potting mix made especially for succulent and cactus plants if you decide to grow hens and chicks succulents in a pot.
- 5. Water plants infrequently. Once they reach maturity, these drought-tolerant plants require very little water and can go for weeks without being watered. When your hens and chicks are established, you should only water them when the soil around them becomes dry, which is normally once a week in warm climes.
- 6. Pay attention to pests. Mealybugs and aphids can be a problem, but you can quickly get rid of them by rubbing alcohol-soaking a cotton swab.
Are hen and chicks contagious?
A succulent that mats up, hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) is a native of Europe and Africa. Its growth pattern includes rosettes of succulent, pointy leaves. The larger rosettes that develop from the parent rosette are known as “chicks,” while the smaller ones are known as “hens.” This root-clinging plant likes sandy, gravelly soil and will eventually grow to form colonies that are at least 2 feet wide. Hens and chicks are frequently grown for their unique form and succulent leaves (generally red, green, blue, gold, or copper), but they occasionally have tall stalks with flowers.
If you want to produce new plants from seed, you may want to start them in pots in the fall so the young plants are prepared to go into the garden in the spring. Hens and chicks has a moderately quick growth rate and is best planted in the spring. They are excellent houseplants as well.
What is causing my hen and chick plants to die?
Sempervivum tectorum, sometimes known as the hen and chick, is an African and European native succulent plant that forms mats. The rosettes of tufted or fleshy pointed leaves that make up the matting.
The primary plant is the hen, which frequently yields a profusion of offsets, or chicks, on a slender runner.
Sempervivum, which translates from Latin as “forever alive” or “always,” refers to the perennial growth of this plant. The process is repeated when the offsets, also known as chicks, grow into hens.
My hen and chick plant is dying; why? Overwatering, inadequate sunlight, underwatering, waterlogged or nutrient-depleted soil, fungal diseases, pests, or excessive humidity can all cause hen and chick plants to perish. As an alternative, the plant might have finished its natural life cycle.
How are young chickens and chicks transplanted?
Several folks have gotten in touch with me in the last week to ask about raising hens and chicks. I suppose it is simply that time of year once more. Sempervivum plants start to produce new offspring as the weather warms from winter into April. By the time summer arrives, the tiny chicks have significantly grown, and people start to consider whether to remove them right away or leave them on the stem.
The baby plants that the mother plant produces are called offsets, and they start off as little nubs inside the leaves of their mother. Then, on stems known as stolons, these tiny offsets that resemble buds are forced away from the parent plant. One of the nice things about sempervivum succulents is how many offsets one plant can produce.
In an effort to expand, the plant may grow unusually long stems for its offsets, depending on the hen and chick variety and the available space. As seen in the images below, the offset will develop from a bud shape into the usual rosette. The stolon that connects the mother and offset, however, has leaves and is still in excellent health. This indicates that the hen is still feeding the chick and that it is not yet appropriate to separate them.
Not always, the chick plant resembles the mother plant exactly. Colors could differ. Different shapes may exist. Varieties frequently develop into their color or plant morphology.
The plants should be allowed to coexist until the chick sprouts its own roots and the stolon starts to wilt. When they reach this point, you know they are prepared for transplantation. Hens and chicks don’t always live in a perfect world, though. If you accidentally break off some chicks before they should, plant them, and they should thrive without any issues.
How to Split It is quite simple to separate the offsets from the mother plant. Simply snap the stem that connects the two plants, pry the chick plant free, and move it to a new location.
Let’s not divide and space out. It’s common practice to let hens and chicks grow up unattended. After all, they are low-maintenance plants. In this instance, the chicks end up squashing the hen plant, and the chicks get crushed by their chicks, and so on, until all the available growing area is occupied.
However, when plants are not spaced out, they grow in one way—straight up. There is nothing wrong with this, and it can even result in a rather distinctive environment. When crowded, hens and chicks lose their rosette shape and expand into tall, vertical plants. You will periodically need to divide or thin your chicks if you do not want this to occur.