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Hens and Chicks , akaSempervivumpronounced ( sem - per - VEEV - um ) , make up a radical of or so forty unlike mintage of small , rosette - formingsucculent plantshailing from North Africa , Western Asia , and Europe .
These easy - care succulent are an splendid choice for young or novice gardeners .
In this article , we talk over this democratic succulent , the Houseleek works or Hen and Chicks , and share advice on curating and caring for your collection . Read on to learn more .
What Are Hens And Chicks Plants?
Sempervivumis a genus of stemless succulents . The young plants or offset acquire in the leaf axil of the female parent flora .
The alternating farewell are thick and fleshy , are often red - spot toward the tips , and form thick rosettes .
In the “ spider - web ” figure , the full plant look like it is covered with silvery cobwebs .
All the fearless form do well in rock garden and borderline in a wide range of status . The more crank or nursery type are worthful assucculents indoorsand as summer flora outdoors .
The smaller sort are popular gain for dish garden , terrariums , and other miniature arrangements .
Can The Mother Hen and Chicks Plant Grow Outside?
The most well - experience “ common”houseleek , Sempervivum tectorum , comes from Europe , where it has been traditionally planted on the roofs of cottage for many centuries .
The reason ? Folklore has it that a skillful crop of hens and chick succulents on your roof will protect your home from lightning and flaming and assist hold the roof slates in plaza .
moreover , the edible evergreen plant leaves leave emergency greenery in the wintertime .
They also provide a handy gel , much like thegel in Aloe vera plant , and are used in much the same way as a intervention for burns , bruises , cut , and skin status .
Even in this Clarence Shepard Day Jr. and eld , many European cottages display fine video display of houseleeks on the roof .
How Long Does The Hen & Chicks Plant Live?
The short response is “ incessantly . ” Although individual works do n’t survive forever , mature plants reproduce with such raving mad wildness .
If you have one , you may always expect to have at least one ( probably more ) .
The Latin genus name of the humble houseleek is “ Semper , ” which means “ always , ” and “ vivus , ” which means “ alive . ”
The specific name “ tectum ” means “ cap . ” So , this plant is “ always alive on the ceiling . ”
Most of these industrial plant are mountain dwellers , very hardy , cold - tolerant , and long - lived . In fact , it is difficult to kill these robust little unseasoned plants .
They survive and prosper under all sorts of contrary circumstances as long as you do n’t overwater .
concern : Are Hens and Chicks Plants Poisonous
Where Can You Plant Hens and Chickens Plants?
If you live in a coolheaded , bright stead , you may set them on the rooftop . Just ensure it receives enough light daily .
In the garden , Sempervivumplants or hen and chicks are ideal for rock gardens , cracks , and cranny in rock walls , sidewalk , or between Rock .
They ’re good for any dry area or other locations that may be unsuitable for growing other plants .
biddy and chicks are the next best matter to an zephyr plant . They can originate much anywhere . Examples of good growing spaces include :
biddy and Chicks works care indoors or outside is easygoing because they ’re dauntless and grow on rock with shallow depressions or basins .
you could create a charming miniature landscape indoors or outdoors by growing them in this room .
They also do well in very shallow planters on sunny windowsills indoors or in outdoor context . They are made to order for creative planting projects .
What Are The Best Hens and Chicks Varieties?
In summation to the commonSempervivum tectorum , there are C of interesting and colourful pas seul and an ever - develop number of hybrids . Some favorites include :
Sempervivum tectorumvar . calcareum is a fairly great mintage with greyish - green foliage and burgundy tips .
Some pop cultivar of this coinage are “ Mrs. Giuseppe ” and “ Sir William Lawrence . ”
Sempervivum arachnoideumor “ Cobweb Houseleek ” is a smaller variety with very tight rosettes and interesting “ cobwebbed ” foliage . It does very well in a rock garden or keep in a small muckle on a windowsill .
government note : Sempervivum arachnoideumandSempervivum pittoniare “ hirsute eccentric ” and , in northern climates , may molder from snow . Move these type and smorgasbord to a nursery or cold frame over winter .
How To Grow Hens And Chicks
These plants have been in polish for 100 , and growing them is simple .
They literally “ grow like a weed ” from crack in the sidewalk or between rocks or , as we ’ve said , even on the roof of houses in cool , bright place .
Hens and chicks plants will grow outside , and yes , you’re able to also grow sempervivum hens and doll indoors . They make excellent indoor addition .
These flora are very versatile and will do well in almost any setting as long as it is not too blistering , too wet , or too fertile .
They choose neglect to any special loving care . Just think about the way they have traditionally been grow – on rooftops in cold climate .
In short , they prosper under these burnished , exposed , neglected condition .
Sempervivum Care: What Is The Best Soil For Common Houseleeks?
To grow them successfully , bring home the bacon shallow , well - run out soil . A combination of :
… is a good option .
recall , the ascendent system of the houseleek is very modest , so always apply shallow slew or stone , or shells with natural holler or depression .
When using a endocarp , you do n’t even need to add filth .
Just set the bird and hen industrial plant in the depression and wet the rock down occasionally to allow for the works with wet .
In your home plate or office , keep your houseleeks in shallow container with very common , well - draining territory or no soil at all .
How Much Water Does A Sempervivum Need?
water system slenderly in the fountain and summer and making sure not at all in the wintertime . Do n’t fertilize at all .
Moreover , it needs little supplementary water supply in super hot , dry situations .
During winter , this plant life wo n’t need extra body of water too .
What Are Hens and Chicks Light Requirements?
Keep your volaille and hen plant in a burnished , cool plaza with lots of temperateness . A hot southern or westerly windowpane will not do .
Full to partial shade locations puzzle out intimately . In extremely hot gay location , it can stomach some light nicety as long as it have some afternoon shade .
Provide pile of bright sunlight , but protect from overweening heat in a Frederick North or eastern United States - face windowpane or a few feet off from a south or west - face window .
Extreme estrus and verbatim sunlight can cause plant cushion and damage it .
If they seem to support from the direct sunlight through the glass , move them forth from the windowpane a bit .
How To Propagate Hens and Chicks?
Propagation of Sempervivum plant could n’t be easier .
The common name Hen & Chicks is derived from the fact that these plants resemble a hen with her chicks .
The “ mother ” flora sends offshoots that develop into smaller plants with tiny roots .
In a innate scene , the plantlet come away on their own and may take solution where they are , or they may blow about like little tumbleweeds until they find a suitable home .
To propagateSempervivum tectorum , all you have to do is wait .
When the plant make trivial plantlets , mildly take away them and engraft them just as you would a full - grown plant .
Set them in shallow , well - run out land or on a suitable rock or shell .
OR
Take leaves or small cuttings and allow them to dry and heal for about a week . Next , put them in the guts and waitress for the tiny rosettes to start in a few weeks .
Water sparingly during the spring and summer and not at all in the fall and wintertime . Never fertilize .
Are There Hens And Chicks Flowers?
Very rarely , houseleeks create small , scentless , pinkish or jaundiced flowers on a stubble that emerges from the shopping center of the flora .
If this take place at all , it will happen during the spring or summer . The flower , borne in dumb heads , are multifariously colored — whitened , pink , greenish , yellow , or purplish .
How Long Do These Sempervivum Succulents Live?
Hen and chicks succulent propagate so easily they essentially live eternally .
Sempervivums Care: Do They Die After Flowering?
Individual plant are long - lived , but after blooming , the “ hen ” break and fades away . The sure-enough “ hen ” plant can be hit , leaving more place for the “ chicks . “
Even though the “ hen works ” choke , they always go forth plenty of permutation in its wake .
How Quickly Do They Grow & How Big Do They Get?
These chop-chop growing plant are mostly groundcover ( or cap cover ) , so they do n’t get very cock-a-hoop .
There are across-the-board other Sempervivum flora varieties for all types of gardening .
They grow from tiny , dime bag - sized plantlets ( Sempervivum arenaria ) to full - grown plants , ranging in size from one in to eight inches across ( Sempervivum magnificum ) and just as tall ( look on the variety ) , within a couple of month .
Then they start institutionalize out shoots of their own .
Related : care For The Rat Tail – ( Aporocactus Flagelliformis )
7 Quick Facts About Hen & Chick Plants
Do Sempervivum Plants Have Any Pest Or Disease Problems?
Most problem with houseleeks are because of overwatering .
Remember , these plant appreciate and thrive in ironic conditions . inordinate over - wateringwill lead to rot and pest infestation .
Even in idealistic conditions , you may occasionally have fuss with root mealybug , which survive in dry grease .
chequer potted plants from time to fourth dimension by taking the plant out of the container and check for root mealybug .
If you see any infestation in the grime , treat it with asystemic insecticide solutionorneem oil used as a soil drench .
Some succulent and cactus growers use isopropyl alcohol as a soil drench to conduct with territory - dwelling pests .
It is also safe to use fray inebriant to wipe the leave and to make clean between the leave with a cotton fiber swab if you find mealybug on the works .
For a serious infestation , insecticidal soap or insecticide will influence well .
Moreover , it ’s very common for peak rot to occur in blotto soils .
What Are The Best Uses Of Hen & Chicks In The Garden?
Sempervivum tectorumis excellent as a earth cover song . alfresco , these hardy , low - care succulents like full sun and low - to - medium watering .
They do well in inadequate , bouldery , shallow land and are resistant to drouth , deer , and aviation pollution .
The plant life grows in a lustrelessness geological formation when used as a solid ground ( or roof ) brood . A in full spring up rosette is typically about four inches across and produces thick , glossy , edible leaves .
The wide varieties of this plant come in colors ranging from hopeful immature to purple to dusky violent and many compounding thereof .
Sempervivums occur in wide interesting varieties . This makes it easy to create an impressive collection in your careen garden or container .
Hen and bird succulent also do very well lining a walkway , along the edges or tops of stone walls , or around your home ’s foundation .
Because they are so tough , prolific , and various , you’re able to experiment with direct them in empty spots in trees or other interesting and unusual place that provide footling or no soil , slew of good drainage , and dear light . [ root ]
10 Best Ways To “Show Off” Sempervivums
Tips For Planting And Displaying Your Hens and Chicks Collection
To make great displays , utilize “ wooden plantation owner , ” which are mile , slabs , small tree stump , or other pieces of decay wood you could pick up on sportfishing trips or vacations through woods or desert .
They are lightweight , easily move , and , good of all , they be nothing !
Look for pieces with burl , hollow out , and ridges where some soil could be tucked in .
For example , a gnarled grape vine root with many natural cavities or pouch that could be enlarged made an idealistic place setting for sempervivums .
Grower Tip : Before plant hen and chicks in any kind of driftwood or tree stump , throw the Mrs. Henry Wood into a tub of blistering soapy water with some neem oil or pour boiling piss over the forest to pop the insect plague it may be harbor .
For a instinctive effect , use the woodwind as it is , without painting or refinishing .
If you are working with a stump , invert it so the root end becomes the planter top . This gives a nicely balanced planting with a looking at of stability .
Pack all hollow and holes full of moistened garden territory into which you have desegregate a generous amount of dampish peat moss . pack it in with a thin pin .
Tack a bed of sphagnum moss or canvas moss over the soil to keep it from wash away . Now you are quick to found your Sempervivums .
Large Plants Are The Stars
Use a little pointed stick or an previous tabular array forking to make planting holes in the moss . Plant the sempervivums into the dirt - filled areas .
commence with prominent Sempervivums such as redSempervivum magnificumfor the canonic design .
Use miniatures and minor diverseness like the silver - hairedSempervivum arachnoideum(Cobweb Houseleek ) and emerald green Sempervivum globiferum subs . arenarium fix perfect filler .
Trailing sedums append grace to newfangled plantings and can be murder when the sempervivums start colonise .
Set the finished plantings in a semi - shaded area to become found .
Water once or twice a week with a sprinkling can or okay spray so the new plants wo n’t become dislodged .
It normally takes these planting about a calendar month to become set up .
you could tell when a works is firmly build by leave it a gentle tug . If the plant well dislodges , leave the planting another week or so to adjudicate in .
Once established , set up the plantation owner in any sunny place . A terrace , porch , or pebbled surface makes an excellent background for it . Water it as often as demand with a atomiser from the garden hose .
Fertilize the planting monthly by pouring a dilute liquid fertilizer directly on the wooden base , making sure the Mrs. Henry Wood is dampish first , so it will absorb .
These dissimilar planters are ideal for showing off a solicitation of sempervivums , much good than in a garden bed , where small species might be turn a loss .
Start by planting with several varieties , and when you recover one for your collection , add them to the wooden base .
You ’ll witness many uses for these portable planters . Keep them near the patio , where guests can enjoy take their favorites from the many kinds planted on the driftwood .
What To Look For When Buying Hen & Chicks?
As prolific as these plants are , you may never need to purchase one .
If you are a member of a garden golf club or have friends who have them , you’re able to in all probability pick up plantlets free of tutelage or in telephone exchange for some plants you have in abundance .
When purchasing these plants at a nursery , crack to be sure the base of the plant has no rot , and there are no pests in abidance .
seem for plump , steady , unmutilated leaves .
Wrapping Up
Sempervivums , ( chickens and hen plant ) are easy to grow , “ survive forever , ” and are excellent plant pick for the newfangled gardener .
Houseleeks industrial plant are made to order for creative planting projects , allowing you to discover new ways to display usually grown plants .
