Watering Hens And Chicks: How Frequently?

The frequency of watering a succulent depends on several factors, including the type of soil, environment, and life cycle stage. Hens and chicks, scientifically known as Sempervivum tectorum, are resilient, low-maintenance succulents native to Europe and Africa. They thrive with less water than most plants due to their fleshy leaves, which are designed to store water. Overwatering is one of the primary causes of death in these plants, with symptoms including mushy or partially transparent leaves. Therefore, it is crucial to allow the soil to dry out before watering again, typically once every one to two weeks.

Watering frequency: water once a week, less in winter

Watering your hens and chicks succulents is crucial to their life cycle stages: establishment, active growth, and dormancy. In the early days after planting, consistent moisture is essential to help the plant establish a robust root system. However, it is important not to overwater, as this can be detrimental to the plant's health.

During the active growth phase, typically in spring and summer, your hens and chicks will require more frequent watering. Water your plant when the surrounding soil dries out, which is typically once a week in warm climates. However, it is important to adjust the frequency based on the specific conditions your plant is in. For example, potted hens and chicks typically need to be watered more often than those planted in the ground, and terracotta containers can dry out particularly quickly. Additionally, the morning is the best time to water your succulents, as it gives them a chance to drink before the sun gets too intense and reduces the risk of fungal diseases.

In the winter, when your hens and chicks enter a dormancy phase, they will require significantly less water. Their metabolic rate drops during this period, similar to a hibernating bear, so you should water sparingly.

To summarise, the watering frequency for hens and chicks succulents is highly dependent on the plant's environment and the time of year. On average, watering once a week is a good guideline, but this may need to be adjusted based on the specific conditions your plant is in. During the winter, reduce the watering frequency and allow the plant to enter a semi-dormant state. Remember to always check the soil moisture before watering and avoid overwatering, as this can be detrimental to the health of your succulents.

Signs of overwatering: mushy or transparent leaves

Hens and chicks are low-maintenance, hardy succulents that are easy to grow. They are native to Europe and Africa and are known for their resilience. They can go for long periods without water due to their fleshy leaves, which are designed to store water.

However, despite their hardiness, overwatering is one of the most common ways to kill these succulents. The top sign of overwatering is mushy or partially transparent leaves. When a succulent is overwatered, the excess water gets stored in storage cells, causing the leaves to swell and become mushy and soft. The leaves may also start to yellow and become more translucent.

If you notice these signs, it is important to take action to save your plant. First, remove the plant from its soil and leave it somewhere to dry out for a few days. Do not place it in direct sunlight during this time, as this can be stressful for the plant. After the plant has dried out, reduce your watering frequency and only water when the surrounding soil dries out. In warm climates, this is typically once a week.

To prevent overwatering, avoid watering your hens and chicks when the soil is damp, especially after rain. Use the "soak and dry" method of watering, where you deeply water the plant and then wait for the soil to dry out before watering again. This method ensures that the plant receives enough water without becoming oversaturated.

Signs of underwatering: crispy, wrinkled, or bent leaves

As succulents, hens and chicks plants are designed to store water in their leaves. They are hardy and resilient, and can survive for long periods without water. However, underwatering can cause damage to the plant.

Signs of underwatering include crispy, wrinkled, or bent leaves. If your plant is showing these signs, it is likely extremely dehydrated. You may also notice that the leaves are droopy, wilted, and limp, or that the plant is turning brown or yellow, and appears dull and faded. The whole plant may look shrivelled and smaller than usual.

If you suspect your plant is underwatered, you should gradually increase its water intake. If it does not recover, inspect the soil for compaction or root damage and repot the plant in fresh potting soil. Remove any parts of the plant that are severely damaged.

To avoid underwatering your hens and chicks, only water the plant when the surrounding soil dries out. Typically, this will be once a week in warm climates. Avoid watering when the soil is damp, especially after rain. In summer, water in the morning so that the roots can soak up moisture before the heat of the day. In winter, water in the morning so that the plant has time to dry out before the cool evening.

Remember, the best way to determine how often to water your plant is to observe the signs it is giving you. Each plant is unique, and the amount of water it requires will depend on factors such as the type of soil and its environment.

Watering time: water in the morning to prevent fungi

Hens and chicks are low-maintenance and hardy succulents that can go for long periods without water. In fact, overwatering is one of the only ways to kill these plants. When watering, it is best to do so in the morning, and here's why.

Firstly, the morning is the best time to water your hens and chicks succulents as it gives the roots time to soak up some moisture before the peak heat of the day. In the summer, the roots of your succulents can dry out before the cool evenings set in, which helps to prevent fungi and bacteria from growing. In the winter, the plants will have time to dry out during the day, which is important as overly wet and cool roots are susceptible to fungi and bacteria.

Secondly, watering in the morning means the soil will dry out faster in the hot sun, which prevents root rot. If you water in the evening or at night, you risk fungal or bacterial infections, as the nights are cooler and the soil stays wetter for longer. This is especially true if your succulent is indoors, as it will take much longer to dry out.

Thirdly, succulents use a form of photosynthesis called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), which means they halt their uptake of water during periods of intense sunlight and heat. So, if you water in the morning, your succulent will be able to absorb the water more effectively.

Finally, if you water your succulent in the morning, any water droplets that accidentally land on the leaves will quickly dry out in the sun. If you water in the evening, and droplets are left on the leaves overnight, they may cause aesthetic damage as they will sizzle in the sun the next day.

To summarise, watering your hens and chicks succulents in the morning is ideal as it gives the plant time to absorb water and dry out before nightfall. This helps to prevent fungal and bacterial infections, allows the plant to absorb water more effectively, and avoids potential aesthetic damage.

Soil type: use well-draining, gravely soil

Hens and chicks are drought-tolerant succulents that require very little water once they are mature. They are low-maintenance plants that can go weeks without water. In fact, one of the only ways to kill these succulents is by overwatering them. Their fleshy leaves are designed to store water, so they can grow with less water than most other plants.

To ensure your hens and chicks succulents do not succumb to overwatering, it is important to use well-draining, gravelly soil. Succulents are prone to rot if left in wet soil, so drainage is key. Their native soil tends to be gritty and gravelly, with a low percentage of organic matter, and it dries out quickly. To mimic these conditions, you can use a pre-mixed option such as Magic Succulent Soil or create your own mix.

For a well-draining soil, it is recommended to use coarse grit such as builder's sand, with particle sizes between 1/8" and 1/4" in diameter. Do not use fine-grain beach sand as it can become too dense and suffocate the roots. You can also add rock material such as pumice, crushed granite, or perlite to your mix. Perlite will make the soil lighter and improve drainage, but it can break down into powder over time. Pumice is very porous, allowing for more airflow, but it also traps a lot of water, so be sure the soil is completely dry before watering your succulents again.

When planting outdoors, aim for a sandy loam that is 50% to 80% coarse sand or fine gravel. For potted plants, select a coarser grit to ensure rapid drainage. Soil mixtures for succulents should be porous and grainy, rocky, or gritty, with plenty of sand and pumice. A good starting point is two parts sand, two parts potting mix, and one part perlite or pumice.

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