Sempervivum
Hens and Chicks
Sempervivum is often called “hens and chicks,” or “hens and biddies.” It is a succulent plant that has been passed down through the generations, often planted in a strawberry pot.
Most Popular Types
Sempervivum arachnoideum which produces a cobweb to shade it from the sun, and S. tectorum with red tinted leaf points are two popular varieties.
Light
Partial to full sun
Temperatures
Sempervivum is winter hardy in many areas, withstanding temperatures as low as -20°F.
Watering
Outside in the summer, we water them once each week unless it rains. During the winter, once each month. Kept indoors, sempervivum can be watered once each month.
Toxicity
Non-toxic to people and pets
Growth
Sempervivum is a ground cover, keeping low to the soil. The “mother hen” will produce chicks around the mature plant before flowering. As sempervivum is monocarpic, the center plant will wither away while the chicks develop.
Origin
Southern Europe
Propagation
Offsets. All those chicks!
Dormancy
Winter dormant
Sempervivum tip top
Sempervivum tip top is one of the many quickly spreading hens and chicks.
sempervivum in hands
Sempervivum is a great groundcover.
Workshops at Growing Hobby
Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.