How to Plant and Grow Hens and Chicks

A favorite of our grandmothers, hens and chicks (Sempervivum spp.) is popular once again with gardeners looking for a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plant. The darling of today's xeriscape, trough, and rooftop gardens, this succulent is appreciated for its easy-care nature and tolerance for extremely dry conditions.

The mother rosette (or hen) multiplies freely by runners that spread in all directions to form offsets (or chicks). While most often found in shades of green, hens and chicks plants come in a variety of colors. Some plants even change color depending on the amount of sunlight they receive. In the right conditions, green plants form red tips; sometimes, the entire plant turns red. Other varieties form intricate cobweb patterns on the tips of the leaves, which adds intriguing texture to rock gardens.

Where to Plant Hens and Chicks

Hens and chicks plants grow small roots that can penetrate tiny cracks and thrive in rock gardens. This plant looks great in trough gardens and containers, where its small, and young plantlets will eventually trail over the sides. Hens and chicks also adds color and texture to regular gardens, living succulent wreaths, and between pavers on patios and walkways.

How and When to Plant Hens and Chicks

Plant hens and chicks in spring after the last spring frost. Avoid planting it during the heat of the summer or in late fall. Choose a full-sun location with sandy or well-draining soil. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball. It won't be large; the plant has shallow roots. Position the plant at the same soil line as it was in its container and backfill with soil dug from the hole. Press down on the soil gently and water the plant. If planting multiple hens and chicks plants, space them at least 12-18 inches apart. They will spread in time.

Hens and Chicks Care Tips

Hens and chicks are easy to raise.

Light

Hens and chicks plants thrive in full sun. If there isn't enough sun, the plant stays green (no color changes), and its leaves are thin and sparse.

Soil and Water

Hens and chicks grows best in well-drained soil. They don't require rich soil; they grow well in poor soil. Water them rarely; too much moisture causes this plant to rot and die. These plants are drought-tolerant and can go weeks without watering once they are established, although they benefit from one watering a week in dry, warm climates.

Temperature and Humidity

Hens and chicks plants thrive in warm weather—ideally 65°F to 75°F. During cold weather, they stop growing and go into semi-dormancy. The plants tolerate low and average humidity well. In areas of high humidity, they grow better in containers indoors, where the humidity is average.

Fertilizer

Hens and chicks seldom need fertilizer. They grow well in poor soil. If anything, apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer in spring at half the quantity specified in the product directions. Don't fertilize at all in summer or cold weather.

Pruning

Hens and chicks plants don't require pruning. The flowering stem on the hen will die and fall off after the plant blooms, or it can be cut off.

Potting and Repotting

When growing hens and chicks in containers, either outdoors or indoors, choose a wide shallow container. This plant doesn't have a large root ball, but it will spread. Excellent drainage is critical, both in the container itself and in the soil that fills it. Potting soil designed for cacti and succulents is the best choice for planting medium. Locate the container in an area that receives a lot of sun outdoors or at least six hours of bright light daily indoors. Don't overwater the plant; water only when the top 1 inch of soil is dry. Bring containers indoors before the first frost of winter in zone 3 or colder, or wrap them in plastic bubble wrap if they are too large to bring inside.

Eventually, the container may crack as the hen adds chicks and the colony grows. When this crowding occurs, repot the plant after removing several of the chicks and repotting them. Your friends will be happy to take them off your hands.

Pests and Problems

Hens and chicks are hard to kill and resistant to many pests, but they can attract common garden bugs, including aphids, mealybugs, spider mites and whiteflies, all of which can be treated with rubbing alcohol on a swab, insecticidal soap, or neem oil if the infestation is caught early enough.

Root rot is a threat to the plant. Don't overwater it or plant it in a water-retaining planting medium.

How to Propagate Hens and Chicks

If grown under the proper conditions, hens and chicks plants slowly spread to form impressive colonies. When the small plants (chicks) develop tiny roots, they can be plucked off the main plant and used to propagate new plants. Set the small chick in a shallow hole, spreading the roots and covering them. Lightly moisten the soil, but don't continue watering daily. Water only when the planting medium is dry.

To propagate from seed, harvest the seeds by cutting the flower stalk when one of the plants blooms. Put it in a paper bag in a warm, dry place. Shake the bag occasionally. Eventually, the tiny seeds will separate from the flower, and the paper bag will capture them. Fill a pot with a potting soil designed 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 spring.

Types of Hens and Chicks

'Bronco' Hens and Chicks

Sempervivum 'Bronco' is a vigorous selection that offers green foliage with purple-red edges. It grows 4 inches tall and 10 inches wide. Zones 5-10

'Cobweb Buttons' Hens and Chicks

Sempervivum 'Cobweb Buttons' is a distinct selection that has fuzzy leaf tips; the hairs catch on the new growth for a spiderweb effect. It grows up to 4 inches tall and 10 inches 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 collection of hens and chicks plants varying in shapes, colors, and sizes. Playful plant names include Cinnamon Starburst (aka Sempervivum 'Jeanne d'Arc') , Cranberry Cocktail (Sempervivum 'Killer'), and Appletini (Sempervivum 'Reinhardt').

Hens and Chicks Companion Plants

Yarrow

Yarrow gives a wildflower look to any garden. It is a native plant and easy to care for. In some gardens, it thrives with almost no care, making it a good candidate for naturalistic plantings in open areas and along the edges of wooded or other wild places. Its colorful, flat-top blooms rise above clusters of ferny foliage. The tough plants resist drought, are rarely eaten by deer and rabbits, and spread moderately quickly, making yarrow a good choice for massing in borders or as a groundcover. If deadheaded after its first flush of blooms fades, yarrow will rebloom. If left to dry on the plant, flower clusters of some types provide winter interest. Flowers of yarrow are excellent, either in fresh or dried arrangements.

Thrift

If you have a hot, dry spot with excellent drainage, you must give thrift a try. A small, tidy plant, it covers itself with adorable bobbing pink flowers. It's a charming groundcover, edging plant, or rock garden feature. When planted in large groups, it forms a mat of attractive grassy foliage and colorful marble-sized balls of flowers. Also called sea pink, this tough plant tolerates wind and sea spray, and it is drought-tolerant. They need well-drained soil to prevent root rot.

Sedum

Sedums are nearly the perfect plants. They look good from the moment they emerge from the soil in spring and continue to look fresh and fabulous all growing season long. Many are attractive even in winter when their foliage dies and is left standing. They're also drought-tolerant and need very little care. They're favorites of butterflies and useful bees. The tall types are outstanding for cutting and drying. Does it get better than that? Only in the fact that there are many different types of this wonderful plant, from tall types that will top 2 feet to low-growing groundcovers that form mats. All thrive in full sun with good drainage. Ground cover types do a good job of suppressing weeds but seldom tolerate foot traffic. Some smaller ones are best grown in pots or treated as houseplants.