Hens and Chicks
4.4 out of 5 (128 experiences)
Survivor
Fast grower
About Hens and Chicks
Common Houseleek is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae native to the mountains of southern Europe. It is cultivated in Europe for its appearance, and a Roman tradition that says it protects buildings against lightning strikes. It thrives in sandy or gravelly soils and will tolerate poor soils and some drought. It's at its best when planted in groups or massed as a ground cover.
Taxonomy
Sempervivum tectorum
Sempervivum
Crassulaceae
Saxifragales
Also known as
Houseleek, Desert Rose Sempervivum, Hens and Chicks 'Desert Bloom', 'Emerald Empress', Berry Bomb, Hen & Chicks Spring Beauty, Common Houseleek, Brown Owl, Crimson Velvet, Sempervivum Crimson Velvet, Houseleek Cinnamon Starburst, Cinnamon Starburst, Houseleek 'Cinnamon Starburst' and Sempervivum Cinnamon Starburst
How to care for Hens and Chicks
How often to water your Hens and Chicks
every 12
Hens and Chicks needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12
Finding light for Hens and Chicks in your home
a window
Hens and Chicks love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Hens and Chicks does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Hens and Chicks in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Hens and Chicks
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Hens and Chicks after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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How do I tell what a death bloom is? What do I do when it happens? #Sempervivum So yesterday I just found out that for some succulents there’s this thing called a death bloom? I think that’s what it’s called. This is supposed to be my sister’s succulent, but I take care of her because my sister doesn’t want to take care of a plant. Anyway, I don’t know what a death bloom would look like, I just know it’s caused by a flower. This is what she looks like now. I do think I know that this isn’t having one right now, but still I would love to know before it happens in the future. Also if there was that moment when the death bloom happened how would I go about things to keep it alive or have it to have babies? I hope this made sense.
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Can hens and chicks be separated and repotted? And are the vining bits a different kind of plant?
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Any thoughts on why this single hen and chick of mine has not produced more hens and chicks in the last 6 months? I’ve had it indoors in well draining soil near a south facing window. In my experience these things normally produce tons of new sprouts. #Sempervivum
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Would I be better off with growing my Sempervivum inside or should I water it frequently since I am in a zone 10? #Sempervivum
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Should I water my hens and chicks in the winter? It gets pretty cold where I live and we get snow. They go dormant. #Sempervivum
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What is a good fertilizer for this type of succulent? #Sempervivum
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It doesn't seem to grow? #Sempervivum
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Do I keep watering or no? How can I save him?
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What pot is best for HensandChicks #Sempervivum
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She’s looking pretty sad. Why can I do to help her? #Sempervivum
Care Summary for Hens and Chicks
Hens and Chicks
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 12 days
Placement
< 1ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Survivor 74
Fast grower 48
Easy to propagate 48
Large, lush leaves 17
Blooms easily 15
Browns easily 12
Pest magnet 9