Jake Harper
Hens and chicks are a type of succulent plant that is easy to grow and care for. They are well-suited to containers, especially shallow ones, and can be grown both indoors and outdoors. When planting hens and chicks in a container, it is important to use a well-draining soil mix and to ensure that the container has good drainage to prevent overwatering. In this article, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to plant hens and chicks in a container, as well as offer tips on soil mix, drainage, and care.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil type | Sandy, gritty, or gravelly |
| Soil pH | Neutral |
| Drainage | Well-drained |
| Container type | Wide, shallow, clay pot |
| Container features | Layered or stacked, with holes |
| Potting medium | Cactus or succulent mix |
| Watering | Water only when the top 1 inch of soil is dry |
| Temperature | 65-75°F |
| Fertilizer | Half the quantity of a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer in spring |
| Sunlight | Full sun to light shade |
| Pests | Mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, whiteflies |
| Fungal infections | Root rot |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right container and soil
Hens and chicks are drought-tolerant perennials that can withstand weeks without water. They are nonchalant about their soil and can be grown in almost any container, from old boots to toolboxes. They are well-suited to shallow planters and wide, shallow containers, as they have shallow roots. They can also be grown in clay pots, which will wick moisture to prevent overwatering.
When it comes to soil, hens and chicks will grow best in a sandy or gravel mix. The main requirement is that the soil is well-drained. If your soil is heavy and doesn't drain well, you can work in some gravel, pumice, perlite, or sand to increase drainage. These plants prefer neutral soil and can even be made to grow in rock crevices with very little soil.
If you're using a potting mix, a cactus or succulent mix is best. You can also make your own with two parts topsoil, two parts sand, and one part perlite. Regular potting soil can also be used, but you may want to add some extra perlite for better drainage. Hens and chicks don't require much fertilizer, and if you're using a fertiliser, it should be applied at half the recommended amount.
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Planting the hens and chicks
Hens and chicks are easy to plant and care for. They are a type of succulent, which means they require very little water and can survive in hot, dry areas. They are also known as house leeks and are identified by their rosette shape, with the parent rosette being the "hen" and the smaller rosette offshoots being the "chicks".
When planting hens and chicks, it is important to choose a suitable location and container. These plants thrive in full sun to light shade and prefer sandy, gravelly, well-draining soil. They can be planted in a variety of containers, such as clay pots, strawberry pots, or layered pots, but it is important to ensure that the container has excellent drainage to prevent the soil from becoming too wet.
To plant hens and chicks, start by placing rocks, gravel, or a paper coffee filter at the bottom of the container to allow for drainage. Then, add a mixture of potting soil, perlite, and compost or fertiliser to the container. Gently separate the hens and chicks, taking care not to break off the baby chicks, and place them in the container. Cover the roots with soil and gently press down, watering the plant afterwards. If planting multiple hens and chicks, space them at least 12-18 inches apart.
Hens and chicks can also be grown from seeds or propagated by digging up the offset chicks and replanting them in a new location. To grow from seeds, collect the seeds from the pods left behind after the flowers fade and sprinkle them on top of pots filled with cactus or succulent potting mix. Lightly moisten the mix and place the pot in a bright location. Once the seeds have sprouted, add some fine gravel and mulch.
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Caring for the plants
Hens and chicks are easy to care for and require very little attention. They are drought-tolerant perennials that can go weeks without water. However, when you do water them, make sure the top 1 inch of soil is dry. Newly transplanted plants should be watered sufficiently to help them settle in, but overwatering should be avoided once they are established. On average, a plant can use one cup of water every two weeks or sooner in hot weather.
These plants can be grown in a variety of temperatures but prefer an average climate between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive the winter and don't need protection from the cold. However, they do not favour wet winter conditions, so it is important to clean away ground debris to prevent rot. If you live in an area where temperatures dip below freezing, it is advisable to move your plants indoors or into a sheltered location.
Hens and chicks are resistant to most pests, but they can attract common garden bugs such as aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies. If you notice an infestation, treat the plants with rubbing alcohol, neem oil, or insecticidal soap.
The plants should be repotted when they start to get crowded, as they will overspill their container. To repot, gently pull the plants out of the soil, clean off any dead leaves, and trim the stem before placing them in a new container. You can also divide the chicks from the mother plant to prevent overcrowding. The mother plant will die off after four to six years and should be removed.
Hens and chicks require very little fertiliser. If you wish to fertilise, apply a balanced, all-purpose fertiliser in spring, using half the quantity specified in the product directions. Do not fertilise during the summer or cold weather.
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Repotting and propagating
Repotting
If your hens and chicks are becoming overcrowded in their container, you can gently pull them out, roots and all, and replant them in a new container with fresh soil. You can also divide the chicks from the mother plant and repot them separately. This should be done at least every two years to prevent overcrowding. When repotting, it is important to use a container with good drainage and fill it with well-draining soil. Regular potting soil works well, but you can add perlite or sand to improve drainage if needed.
Propagating
Hens and chicks can be propagated by digging up the offset chicks and replanting them in a new location. The chicks can be gently pulled off the mother plant and placed in a new pot or rock crevice, where they will quickly develop their own roots. You can also propagate hens and chicks from seeds. To do this, collect the seeds from the pods left behind after the flowers fade, and sprinkle them on top of pots filled with cactus or succulent potting mix. Lightly moisten the mix and place the pot in a bright location. The seeds should sprout within three weeks, at which point you can add some fine gravel and mulch.
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Overwintering
If you are worried about your container cracking during the winter, keep the plants dry. You can also place your containers next to the house, out of direct weather. Alternatively, you can cover them with a winter-weight fabric or turn the pots on their sides to prevent water collections in the bottom of the pots.
If you are in a cold winter zone, place your potted hens and chicks in a sheltered location or bring them indoors for the winter. You can also place them in an unheated garage or by a window. However, if the plants are brought inside and kept warm, the rosettes may elongate and die.
Hens and chicks can also be left outside over the winter, as they are completely cold-hardy. They will survive freezing temperatures with no trouble.
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Frequently asked questions
A wide, shallow container with good drainage is ideal for planting hens and chicks. Clay pots are a good option, as they wick moisture to prevent overwatering. Strawberry pots or planters are also a popular choice.
Hens and chicks are not fussy about soil and will grow in most types of soil, including sandy or gravelly soil. The main requirement is that the soil is well-drained. If your soil has poor drainage, you can add gravel, pumice, perlite, or sand to improve it.
Spring, after the last spring frost, is the ideal time to plant hens and chicks. Avoid planting during the heat of summer or in late fall.
Hens and chicks are succulents and do not require much water. Water only when the top inch of soil is dry. Newly transplanted plants should be watered more frequently to help them establish, but be careful not to overwater.
Yes, hens and chicks can be grown indoors or outdoors. If growing them in a container outdoors in cold climates, you may need to bring the container inside for the winter or insulate it with packing peanuts.
