Sophie Bennett
Hens and chicks are a member of the sempervivum group of succulent plants, which are commonly called houseleeks. They are low-maintenance plants that can be grown outdoors from seeds. They are drought-tolerant and can be grown in rock gardens, rock crevices, and places where other plants struggle. They require full sun and well-drained, gritty, and sandy soil. They should be planted in spring after the last spring frost. To plant from seeds, scatter them on top of potting soil designed for cacti and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plant type | Succulent perennial |
| Plant name | Hens and chicks, house leek, Sempervivum tectorum, Sempervivum spp. |
| Plant care | Low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, full sun to light shade, well-drained soil |
| Soil type | Sandy, gravelly, gritty |
| Watering | Rarely, only when the soil is dry |
| Fertilizer | Little to none |
| Temperature | Tolerant of both cold and warm temperatures |
| Container | Wide, shallow, clay pots |
| Potting mix | Cactus/succulent mix |
| Propagation | From seeds or offsets (chicks) |
| Seed collection | Cut the flower stalk when the plant blooms and place in a paper bag |
| Seed germination | Keep the potting mix moist and place in a bright, sunny location |
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What You'll Learn
Soil and drainage
When it comes to soil, hens and chicks thrive in sandy, gritty, and well-drained soil. They can even grow in rock crevices with very little soil, making them ideal for rock gardens or wall crevices. If you're planting them in a garden bed, ensure the soil is well-drained and amend it with sand or gravel if necessary. This is especially important if you notice signs of overwatering, such as soft and wilted leaves, as it indicates that your soil needs improved drainage.
For potted or container gardens, use a shallow, well-drained container with a cactus or succulent potting mix. Clay pots are an excellent option as they help wick moisture away and prevent overwatering. You can also make your own mix with two parts topsoil, two parts sand, and one part perlite. When planting in containers, choose a wide, shallow container to accommodate the spreading nature of the plant.
Whether you're planting hens and chicks in the ground or in containers, proper drainage is essential. These succulents are accustomed to very little water and are drought-tolerant. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other issues. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, and only water when the top inch of soil is dry. In regions with prolonged dry spells, you may need to water every 10 to 14 days, providing more water during extreme heat.
In addition to proper drainage, hens and chicks require full sun to light shade, depending on the climate. They prefer temperate to warm, dry climates and can tolerate both cold and hot temperatures. Provide at least six hours of bright light daily, and afternoon shade in hotter climates.
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Watering and fertiliser
Hens and chicks are drought-tolerant succulents that prefer dry conditions and need little supplemental water. They are accustomed to very little water and are susceptible to rot in wet conditions. When kept in well-drained soil outdoors, they return yearly.
Water your hens and chicks only when the planting medium is dry. In regions with prolonged dry spells, water every 10 to 14 days, providing more water during extreme heat. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Reduce or cease watering in the fall when the plants enter dormancy.
When growing hens and chicks in containers, choose a wide, shallow container. This plant doesn't have a large root ball but will spread. Excellent drainage is critical, both in the container and the soil that fills it. A clay pot will wick moisture to prevent overwatering.
Hens and chicks require little to no fertiliser. If desired, apply a slow-release granular fertiliser in the spring. For outdoor containers and indoor houseplants, feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser at 1/4 strength every week or two during their growing season of spring and summer. Cease fertilising in the fall and winter.
When kept in well-drained soil outdoors, perennial hens and chicks return yearly.
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Container and location
Hens and chicks are versatile plants that can be grown outdoors or indoors, in containers or in the ground. They are drought-tolerant and can survive in poor soils and unwelcoming conditions, making them an excellent choice for rock gardens, wall crevices, and places where other plants struggle.
When planting hens and chicks in containers, choose a wide, shallow container. This is because the plant doesn't have a large root ball but will spread. Excellent drainage is critical, so make sure the container has drainage holes and use well-draining soil. Potting soil designed for cacti and succulents is the best choice for the planting medium. You can also make your own mix with two parts topsoil, two parts sand, and one part perlite.
Hens and chicks prefer full sun and well-drained, gritty, sandy soil. They can tolerate both cold and warm temperatures and grow well in temperate to warm, dry climates. They need at least six hours of bright light daily, and in hotter climates, they should be provided with afternoon shade. They rarely need to be watered and are accustomed to very little water. Water only when the top inch of soil is dry and always allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
If you are growing hens and chicks outdoors in containers, place the container in an area that receives a lot of sun. In cold winter zones, place the containers in a sheltered location or bring them indoors. You can also wrap large containers in plastic bubble wrap if they are too big to bring inside.
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Seed preparation
To prepare seeds for planting hens and chicks outdoors, follow these steps:
Firstly, you need to harvest the seeds. To do this, wait for one of the plants to bloom and produce a flower. Once the flower has emerged, cut the flower stalk and place it in a paper bag. Keep the bag in a warm, dry place and shake it occasionally. The seeds will eventually separate from the flower, and the bag will capture them.
Next, fill a pot with potting soil designed for cacti and succulents. Cacti and succulent potting mix is ideal for these plants as they are accustomed to very little water. Lightly scatter the seeds on top of the soil and keep the planting medium moist but not wet. The seeds should be misted until they are evenly damp. Place the pot in a warm room and a bright, sunny location. The seeds should sprout within three weeks.
After germination, you can add some fine gravel and mulch to the pot. Keep the plants in a bright, sunny location and mist them every few days. Once the seedlings reach about an inch in diameter, they can be transplanted. Transplanting should be done in spring, after the last spring frost, to avoid the heat of summer or late fall.
Hens and chicks are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant plants that can be grown outdoors in full sun to light shade. They are versatile and can tolerate a range of temperatures. These plants require well-drained, gravelly, or sandy soil and should be watered only when the soil is dry.
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Planting and aftercare
Hens and chicks are a type of succulent, which means they are accustomed to very little water. They are also perennials, which means they will return yearly. They are a great choice for gardeners as they are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. They can be grown outdoors or indoors and can tolerate both cold and warm temperatures. They are also versatile and can be grown in small urban spaces, adding colour and texture to beds and containers.
To plant hens and chicks from seeds, start by harvesting the seeds. Do this by cutting the flower stalk when one of the plants blooms. Put the seeds in a paper bag and place it in a warm, dry place. Shake the bag occasionally. The tiny seeds will eventually separate from the flower, and the paper bag will capture them. Next, fill a pot with potting soil designed for cacti and succulents and lightly scatter the seeds on top. Keep the soil moist (not wet) until the seeds germinate. Transplant the seedlings to a garden in spring once they reach 2.5 cm in diameter.
When it comes to aftercare, these plants need very little water. Only water them when the top 1 inch of soil is dry. In regions with prolonged dry spells, water every 10 to 14 days, providing more water during extreme heat. Reduce or cease watering in autumn and winter when the plants enter dormancy. They also need very little fertiliser. If desired, apply a slow-release granular fertiliser in spring. For outdoor containers and indoor houseplants, feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser at 1/4 strength every week or two during spring and summer. Cease fertilising in autumn and winter.
Hens and chicks prefer dry, gritty, sandy, and well-drained soil. They also need full sun unless you live in a very hot, dry climate, in which case they should be in light shade. They are susceptible to aphids or mealybug infestations if grown in the wrong conditions. They are also prone to rot in wet soil.
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Frequently asked questions
The best soil for planting hens and chicks outdoors is sandy, gravelly, gritty, and well-drained soil.
A wide, shallow clay pot with a cactus/succulent potting mix is ideal for planting hens and chicks outdoors.
Once planted, your outdoor hens and chicks will require little care. They will need full sun, minimal fertiliser, and infrequent watering.
