Jake Harper
The hens and chicks plant, also known as the house leek, is a succulent perennial with excellent cold hardiness. It is a low-maintenance plant that can be grown outside in winter. While they can withstand temperatures down to 40°F, they should be protected from prolonged exposure to frost or freezing conditions. If you are growing your hens and chicks in a container, it is recommended to bring them indoors before the first frost of winter or wrap them in plastic bubble wrap if they are too large to move. When bringing them indoors, ensure they receive full sunlight by placing them near a south-facing window.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hardiness | Can survive winter in growing zones 3 to 8 |
| Container | Use resin plastic, cement, metal or wooden planters in freezing temperatures |
| Indoor care | Place next to a south-facing window for full sunlight or use a growing light |
| Dormancy | Plants typically go dormant in winter, but will not if brought indoors |
| Fertilizer | Do not fertilize in winter |
| Watering | Water only when the top inch of soil is dry |
| Soil | Well-draining, sandy or gravel mix |
| Frost protection | Shield from prolonged exposure to frost or freezing conditions to avoid rot |
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What You'll Learn
Bring them inside, but only if they still get full sunlight
If you want to bring your hen and chick plants inside during the winter, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, these plants typically go dormant in the winter, and bringing them inside will prevent this natural process. Instead, their growth will slow down. You should also avoid fertilizing your hen and chick plants during the winter months.
The most important thing to consider when bringing hen and chick plants inside is their sunlight requirements. These plants need at least six hours of sunlight per day, so make sure they are placed near a south-facing window. If your home doesn't get enough natural sunlight, you can supplement it with a grow light. However, do not store the plants in a garage with no sunlight, as this will harm them.
In addition to sunlight, it's important to remember that hen and chick plants prefer dry conditions. Before watering, check that the soil is completely dry. These plants are very resilient and can tolerate drought-like conditions. They also prefer well-drained soil, so ensure your pots have adequate drainage holes.
If you decide to keep your hen and chick plants outdoors during the winter, they can easily survive with minimal protection. They are hardy and can withstand tough weather conditions, including snow. However, if you live in a freezing climate, consider using planters made of resin plastic, cement, metal, or wood, as these hold up better in freezing temperatures.
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Use planters made from resin plastic, cement, metal or wood
If you're growing your hen and chick plants in containers, it's best to use planters made from resin plastic, cement, metal, or wood. Clay or terracotta planters are also commonly used, but they don't hold up well in freezing temperatures and can break apart.
Resin plastic, cement, metal, or wooden planters are ideal for growing zones with freezing temperatures during the winter. These materials can withstand the cold and won't crack or shatter due to frost or freezing conditions.
When choosing a planter, opt for a wide and shallow container, as these plants spread out. Ensure the planter has excellent drainage, as hen and chick plants prefer well-drained soil. Use a potting mix specifically designed for cacti and succulents, which will provide the optimal growing medium for these drought-tolerant plants.
If you live in a particularly cold climate, you may want to bring your hen and chick plants indoors during the winter. These plants typically grow well outdoors in growing zones 3 to 8, but if your area experiences extreme cold, you can protect them by moving them inside. Just ensure they still receive full sunlight by placing them near a south-facing window.
Remember, hen and chick plants are generally hardy and can tolerate a wide range of conditions. They don't require much maintenance during the winter, and their outer leaves may dry out and die, which is normal. With their resilience, they will bounce back to life with a few warm days in spring.
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Avoid overwatering and fertilizing
Hens and chicks are drought-tolerant perennials that can go weeks without water. Once they are established, be careful not to overwater them. Water only when the top 1 inch of soil is dry. To check, you can touch the soil and make sure it is dry before watering. On average, a plant can use one cup of water every two weeks or sooner in hot weather conditions.
Hens and chicks are generally left alone by deer and rabbits. They are easy to care for and can survive in growing zones 3 to 8. They do not require fertilizing in the summer or winter. If you bring your plant indoors for the winter, it will not go dormant and will continue to grow slowly. It will need up to 6 hours of sunlight per day, so a south-facing window or a grow light is recommended.
Hens and chicks are hardy plants that can survive winter. They do not need protection from the cold but they do not favour wet conditions. To prevent overwatering, clean away ground debris to reduce moisture from collecting and causing rot. If you are keeping your plant outdoors, place it in a sheltered location.
Hens and chicks are best planted in sandy, gravelly, well-draining soil. They can be planted in shallow containers with excellent drainage. Choose a clay pot, which will wick moisture to prevent overwatering.
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Protect from frost and freezing conditions
Although hen and chick plants are hardy and can withstand tough weather conditions, it is still important to protect them from frost and freezing conditions.
To protect your hen and chick plants from frost damage, bring them inside before the first frost of winter. If you're growing your plants in containers, you can wrap them in plastic bubble wrap if they are too large to bring inside. Alternatively, you can use planters made of resin plastic, cement, metal, or wood, which hold up better in freezing temperatures.
If you bring your plants inside, place them in a south-facing window to ensure they still receive full sunlight. You can also supplement the sunlight with a growing light. Be aware that if you bring your plants inside, they will not go dormant and will continue to grow, albeit at a slower pace.
If you choose to keep your plants outdoors, you can protect them from frost and freezing conditions by providing shade cloth to shield them from the sun. This will help prevent sunburn, especially during hot summers.
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Provide well-draining soil
Hens and chicks are succulents that are highly tolerant of dry conditions and droughts. They prefer sandy, gravelly, well-draining soil. If your soil is heavy and doesn't drain well, you can improve its drainage by adding gravel, pumice, perlite, or sand. These amendments will increase aeration and help the soil drain more effectively.
When planting hens and chicks, it is important to choose a wide, shallow container with excellent drainage. The plant will not develop a large root ball, but it will spread out. If you are planting in a container, use a potting mix specifically designed for cacti and succulents. This type of mix will provide the ideal drainage and nutrient composition for your hens and chicks.
It is important to avoid overwatering your hens and chicks. Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. You can easily check the moisture level by gently inserting your finger about an inch into the soil or using a soil moisture meter. When you do water, lightly moisten the soil rather than saturating it.
Hens and chicks thrive in neutral soil with a pH of 7.0. They are not particular about their soil beyond the need for good drainage, and they can even grow in rocky gardens, wall crevices, and other challenging locations.
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Frequently asked questions
Hen and chick plants are hardy and can survive winter outdoors without any protection. However, if you live in a freezing area, you may want to use a planter made of resin plastic, cement, metal, or wood. Alternatively, you can bring your plants inside, ensuring they receive full sunlight.
Clay or terracotta planters are commonly used for hen and chick plants, but they may not be suitable for freezing temperatures. Instead, opt for planters made of resin plastic, cement, metal, or wood to prevent them from breaking apart in the cold.
You can bring your hen and chick plants indoors during winter, but they will not go dormant. They will continue to grow slowly, requiring up to six hours of sunlight daily. Place them near a south-facing window or under a grow light. Avoid moving them between drastically different temperatures, as it may stress the plants.
Hen and chick plants are low-maintenance and can tolerate drought. Avoid overwatering them and only water when the top inch of soil is dry. They can withstand temperatures down to 40°F, but prolonged exposure to freezing conditions should be avoided to prevent harm or rot.
