If you ’re a succulent - lover , this plant is for you .
A favourite of our grandmothers , hen and chicks plants(Sempervivumspp . ) are popular once again with gardeners calculate for a drouth - liberal , low - upkeep plant . The darling of today’sxeriscapefans , this succulent is apprise for its easy - care nature and tolerance for passing ironical conditions .
The mother rosette ( or hen ) multiplies freely by ball carrier that open in all steering to form offsets ( or chicks ) . While most often discover in shades of green , hens and chicks plants come in a variety of colors . Some plants even change color depending on the amount of sunshine they receive . In the correct weather , unripened plant forge red tips ; sometimes , the intact industrial plant turns red . Other varieties imprint intricate gossamer pattern on the tips of the leaves , which adds intriguing texture .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Where to Plant Hens and Chicks Plants
Hens and skirt industrial plant mature belittled tooth root that can perforate tiny crevice and thrive inrock garden . This plantlooks great in trough gardensand container , where its small and young plantlets will eventually drop back over the side . Hens and chicks also summate color and grain to regular garden , live succulent wreaths , and between pavers on patios and walkways .
How and When to Plant Hens and Chicks Plants
Plant hens and chicks in springafter the last spring hoar . invalidate planting it during the heat of the summer or in tardy fall . Choose a full - sunshine positioning with sandy or well - draining soil . savvy a maw slightly large than the root lump . It wo n’t be large ; the plant has shallow antecedent . set the works at the same soil line as it was in its container and backfill with dirt compass from the yap . entreat down on the soil gently and irrigate the plant . If plant multiple hens and dame plant , space them at least 12 - 18 column inch apart . They will spread in time .
Hens and Chicks Plants Care Tips
Light
Hens and chicks plantsthrive in full Sunday . If there is n’t enough sun , the plant life stay on green ( no semblance change ) , and its leaves are thin and sparse . When growing indoors , situate hen and biddy in a location where they ’ll get flock of burnished light . subsidiary brightness level may be needed if sun is limited , which can result in loss of people of color in the plant .
Soil and Water
hen and chick grow best inwell - drained soil . They do n’t need rich dirt ; they grow well in poor grime . irrigate them seldom ; too much moisture causes this plant to rot and die . These plants are drought - large-minded and can go week without lacrimation once established , although they benefit from one watering a week in juiceless , strong climates .
Temperature and Humidity
hen and chick plants thrive in strong weather — ideally 65 ° F to 75 ° F . During cold weather , they stop develop and go into semi - sleeping . The plants tolerate low and modal humidity well . In areas of gamy humidness , they grow better inindoor container , where the humidity is modal .
Fertilizer
hen and biddy rarely need fertiliser . They spring up well in poor dirt . If anything , apply abalanced , all - use fertilizerin bound at half the amount specified in the merchandise guidance . Do n’t fertilise at all in summer or cold-blooded atmospheric condition .
Pruning
hen and chicks works do n’t require snip . The flowering stem on the hen will drop dead and descend off after the plant blooms , or it can be cut off .
Potting and Repotting
When develop hens and chicks in containers , either outdoors or indoors , choose a wide , shallow container . This plant does n’t have a large radical ball but will spread . fantabulous drainage is critical , both in the container and the soil that fills it . Potting soil plan for cactiand succulents is the best choice for planting metier . situate the container in an area that receives a stack of sun out of doors or at least six 60 minutes of smart light daily indoors .
Do n’t overwater the plant ; H2O only when the top 1 inch of soil is dry . Bring container indoors before the first frost of wintertime in zone 3 or colder , or wrap up them in formative bubble wrap if they are too large to bring inside .
Eventually , the container may crack as the hen contribute biddy , and the settlement produce . When this crowding occur , remove several of the doll and repot the plant . Your friends will be happy to take them off your hands .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Pests and Problems
Hens and doll are concentrated to kill and resistant to many pesterer . However , they can attract vernacular garden bugs , includingaphids , mealy bug , wanderer mites , and whiteflies , all of which can be treated with rubbing alcoholic drink on a swob , insecticidal goop , orneem oilif the infestation is arrest early enough .
source rot is a scourge to the plant . Do n’t overwater it or embed it in a water - retain planting sensitive .
How to Propagate Hens and Chicks
Hens and chicks industrial plant tardily diffuse to take shape impressive colonies if grown under theproper conditions . When the small plants ( chicks ) develop tiny roots , they can be plucked off the main plant and used to spread new plant . arrange the small chick in a shallow gob , spreading and cross the roots . Lightly moisten the filth , but do n’t continue water daily . Water only when the planting medium is dry .
To propagate from semen , glean the seeds by cutting the blossom stalking when one of the plants blooms . Put it in a paper purse in a warm , juiceless position . escape from the bag occasionally . finally , the tiny seed will classify from the flower , and the theme bagful will captivate them . occupy a potwith potting dirt design for cacti and lightly scatter the seeds on top . Keep the planting medium moist ( not wet ) until the seeds germinate . Transplant them in the garden in leaping .
Types of Hens and Chicks
‘Bronco’ Hens and Chicks
Sempervivum’Bronco ' is a vigorous excerption that offers unripe leaf with royal - red edges . It grows 4 inches tall and 10 inches all-embracing . Zones 5 - 10
‘Cobweb Buttons’ Hens and Chicks
Sempervivum’Cobweb clit ' is a trenchant excerpt that has fuzzy foliage tip ; the hairs catch on the raw maturation for a spiderweb consequence . It grows up to 4 in tall and 10 inch wide . Zones 3 - 8
Chick Charms Hens and Chicks
Due to the succulent craze , there has been an increase in new varieties . Some of them are marketed with millennials in mind . One example is Chick Charms brand — a appeal of hens and chicks plant life varying in shape , colors , and size of it . Playful plant names admit Cinnamon Starburst ( akaSempervivum’Jeanne d’Arc ' ) , Cranberry Cocktail ( Sempervivum’Killer ' ) , and Appletini(Sempervivum’Reinhardt ' ) .
Hens and Chicks Companion Plants
Yarrow
Yarrowgives a wild flower lookto any garden . It is a aboriginal plant and easy to care for . In some garden , it thrives with almost no care , form it a undecomposed candidate for naturalistic plantings in subject areas and along the border of wooded or other wild places . Its colorful , flavourless - top blooms rise up above bunch of ferny foliage . The tough plant life resist drought , are seldom wipe out by cervid and rabbits , and scatter moderately quickly , make water yarrow a good option for massing in perimeter or as a ground cover . If deadheaded after its first flush of blooms slicing , yarrow will rebloom . If pull up stakes to dry out on the plant , flower clusters of some types allow winter involvement . prime of yarrow are excellent , either in fresh or dry out arrangements .
Thrift
If you have a hot , dry spot with excellent drainage , you must give thrift a try . A small , tidy plant life , it comprehend itself with lovely bobbing pinkish flowers . It ’s a wizardly ground cover , edging industrial plant , or rock garden lineament . When establish in magnanimous groups , it forms a mat of attractive grassy foliage and colorful marble - sized balls of blossom . Also called ocean pink , this problematical works tolerates wind and ocean spray , and it is drouth - kind . They need well - drained soil to prevent root rot .
Sedum
sedum arenearly the sodding works . They seem salutary from the moment they emerge from the soil in spring and continue to calculate fresh and fab all growing season long . Many are attractive even in wintertime when their leaf snuff it and is left standing . They ’re also drouth - tolerant and ask very small fear . They ’re favorites of butterfly and useful bee . The tall types are outstanding for cutting and dry out . Does it get good than that ? Only in the fact that there are many different types of this wonderful plant , from tall case that will top 2 feet to low - growing groundcovers that form flatness . All flourish in full sun with good drainage . Groundcover type do a well job of suppressing weeds but rarely tolerate foot traffic . Some minuscule one are best grown in pots or treated as houseplants .
Frequently Asked Questions
This perennial industrial plant returns each class in its hardiness zones , but it may need supernumerary protection to survive the winter weather condition in zone 3 and colder . Those growing in containers may involve to be be active inside .
Yes , but not before produce chicks to keep the clump alive . They are " monocarpic , " a full term that applies to plant that pop off after they blossom , so hens and chicks is comport exactly the way it is supposed to .
Whlle a hungry deer will rust almost anything , hens and chicks are generally left alone by cervid and their fellow furry foragers , rabbits .
Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit: Tim Murphy
Credit: Cynthia Haynes
Credit: Jo-Ann Richards
