Emily Carter
The common name house leek comes from an old English word, leac, meaning plant. These plants are known to grow on houses, especially those with slate or stone shingles. They are also known as hens and chicks, which refers to the way a mother rosette sends out new offsets on stolons, leading to dense colonies that can spread into a ground cover. The hen is the main or mother plant, and the chicks are the offspring, which start as tiny buds on the main plant and soon sprout their own roots.
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What You'll Learn
Hens and chicks are a common name for a group of small succulent plants
Hens and chicks is a common name for a group of small, resilient, and low-maintenance succulent plants. Also known as hen-and-chicken or hen-widdies in the southern United States, these plants are native to southern Europe and northern Africa. They are members of the flowering plant family Crassulaceae and are commonly referred to as houseleeks. The name "house leek" comes from the old English word "leac," which means plant. These plants are known to grow on houses, especially those with slate or stone shingles, and were historically planted on roofs to hold roof shingles in place.
The "hen" in the name refers to the main or mother plant, while the "chicks" are the offspring that start as tiny buds on the main plant and eventually sprout their own roots, staying close to the mother plant. The chicks may be as small as a dime, while the mother plant can grow to the size of a small plate. The plants grow close to the ground with fleshy pointed leaves formed around each other in a rosette, and they propagate by offsets. The rosettes range from 0.25" to 10" in diameter and can change colour significantly through the seasons, displaying reds, blues, purples, bronzes, and more.
Hens and chicks are easy to grow and can be found in most nurseries. They require full sun and well-drained, gritty, sandy, or gravelly soil. They can also be grown in rock crevices with very little soil. These plants are accustomed to very little water and can go weeks without being watered. They can tolerate various temperatures but prefer an average climate between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. At temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, extra shade will help them look their best. They can survive in poor soils and are drought-tolerant perennials.
Hens and chicks can be grown from seeds or offsets. Seeds are sown in a cactus mix and misted until damp, then kept in a warm room until germination. After germination, some fine gravel is sprinkled around the plants to help conserve moisture. Seedlings should be misted every few days and grown in a bright, sunny window. Once they reach an inch in diameter, they can be transplanted. The chicks can be gently pulled off the mother plant and installed in a new location.
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They are native to southern Europe and northern Africa
The name "hens and chicks" refers to a group of small, succulent plants that are native to southern Europe and northern Africa. They are also known as houseleeks, and are a member of the flowering plant family Crassulaceae. These plants are known for their ability to grow on houses, particularly those with slate or stone shingles, and were historically planted on roofs to hold roof shingles in place.
Hens and chicks are well-adapted to a range of temperatures, though they prefer an average climate of between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They are drought-tolerant perennials and can go for weeks without water. They thrive in poor soils and are often found in dry, nutrient-challenged locations. They are commonly grown in rock gardens, wall crevices, and other areas where other plants struggle to survive.
The plants grow close to the ground, with fleshy, pointed leaves arranged in rosettes. The parent rosette is the "hen", and the smaller rosette offshoots that grow from it are the "chicks". The chicks may be as small as a dime, while the mother plant can grow to the size of a small plate. The name "hens and chicks" also references the way a mother rosette sends out new offsets on stolons, leading to dense colonies that can spread into a ground cover.
Hens and chicks require full sun and well-drained, gritty soil. They don't need much fertilizer and should be careful not to overwater them. They can be grown from seeds or offsets, which can be gently pulled off the mother plant and installed in a new location.
Hens and chicks are prized for their charming appearance and extremely resilient nature. They come in a variety of colours, including reds, blues, purples, and bronzes, and can change colours significantly throughout the seasons. They are a popular choice for gardens and arrangements due to their dense mats and eye-catching colours, forms, and textures.
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The plants are also known as house leeks
The "hens and chicks" plants are also known as "house leeks" or "houseleeks". The name "house leek" comes from the old English word "leac", meaning plant. These plants are known to grow on houses, especially those with slate or stone shingles. They were sometimes deliberately planted on roofs to hold roof shingles in place.
Hens and chicks are members of the Sempervivum group of succulent plants. They are commonly called houseleeks and grow well indoors and out, in cool or hot temperatures. They are so called because of the rosette shape and the plant's ability to produce numerous babies. The parent rosette is the "hen", and the smaller rosette offshoots or babies that grow from it are the "chicks". The chicks may be as small as a dime, and the mother can grow to the size of a small plate. The "hen" is the main or mother plant, and the "chicks" are a flock of offspring, which start as tiny buds on the main plant and soon sprout their own roots, taking up residence close to the mother plant.
Hens and chicks are ground-hugging species of Sempervivum (houseleeks), such as Sempervivum 'Pekinese', S. arachnoideum (cobweb houseleek), and S. tectorum (common houseleek). They are native to southern Europe and northern Africa. They are mat-forming perennial succulents with fleshy pointed leaves arranged in rosettes. They can be grown in various temperatures but prefer an average climate between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can be grown in full sun (at least six hours daily) or partial shade, especially in hot, dry climates. They are drought-tolerant perennials that can withstand weeks without watering. They are also nonchalant about their soil but will grow best in a sandy or gravel mix. The soil should be well-drained, even gritty, similar to the soil of their native alpine habitats.
Hens and chicks are forgiving growers and will often revive. That's how they got the Latin name Sempervivum, which means "always alive". They are beautiful outdoor succulents prized for their charming appearance and extremely resilient nature. They can form dense mats that accent gardens and arrangements. They come in eye-catching colours, forms, and textures.
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They can be grown in various temperatures and are drought-tolerant
The common name "house leek" comes from an old English word, "leac," meaning plant. These plants are known to grow on houses, especially those with slate or stone shingles. They were once deliberately planted on roofs to hold roof shingles in place. Hens and chicks, also known as hen-and-chicken or hen-widdies in the southern United States, are small succulent plants. They are native to southern Europe and northern Africa and belong to the flowering plant family Crassulaceae. These plants grow close to the ground, with leaves formed around each other in a rosette, and propagate by offsets. The "hen" is the main or mother plant, and the "chicks" are the offspring, which start as tiny buds on the main plant and soon sprout their own roots, staying close to the mother plant.
Hens and chicks can be successfully grown in various temperatures and are drought-tolerant. They prefer an average climate between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops too low, they will not die but will stop growing and enter a semi-dormant state. They can tolerate high temperatures, full sun, and different humidity levels. They are well-suited for dry climates and can thrive in poor soils. When grown in containers, a mix formulated for succulents and cacti is ideal. They require minimal care and can be grown in a variety of locations, including rock gardens, wall crevices, and rockeries.
Hens and chicks have low fertilizer requirements and should be watered sparingly, as they are accustomed to very little water in their natural habitat. They prefer well-drained, gritty, sandy, or gravelly soil. If your soil is heavy and doesn't drain well, you can improve drainage by adding gravel, pumice, perlite, or sand. They can be grown from seeds, offsets, or by gently pulling off a "chick" from the "hen" and replanting it. Potted plants may require more fertilizer and can benefit from a diluted liquid fertilizer applied during spring and summer.
Hens and chicks are prized for their resilience and ability to tolerate extreme conditions, including droughts, deep freezes, and poor soil. They are easy to care for and can brighten any garden with their eye-catching colors, forms, and textures. Their leaves are edible and can be used in salads, adding a slightly sour taste similar to unripe apples.
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Hens and chicks are easy to grow and require minimal care
The common name "house leek" comes from an old English word "leac," meaning plant. These plants are known to literally grow on houses, especially those with slate or stone shingles. They were sometimes deliberately planted on roofs to hold roof shingles in place.
Hens and chicks, or houseleeks, are easy to grow and require minimal care. They are readily available in most nurseries and can be grown in various temperatures, though they prefer an average climate between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate different humidity levels and are popular in dry climates. They can also withstand poor soils and harsh conditions, thriving in places where other plants struggle.
These succulents require full sun and well-drained, gritty, sandy, or gravelly soil. They don't need much fertilizer and should be watered sparingly, as they are accustomed to very little water. They can even grow in rock crevices with very little soil.
Hens and chicks can be grown from offsets or seeds. To grow from offsets, gently pull off a "chick" from the "hen" and install it in a new location. Seeds can be sown in a cactus mix and misted until damp, then kept in a warm room until germination. After germination, sprinkle some fine gravel around the plants to help conserve moisture.
With their charming appearance and resilience, hens and chicks make a great addition to any garden or indoor space. They are forgiving growers and will often revive if something goes wrong, true to their Latin name Sempervivum, which means "always alive."
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Frequently asked questions
The real name for hens and chicks is Sempervivum, a group of succulent plants.
The name Sempervivum comes from Latin and means "always alive", reflecting the plant's resilient nature.
Common names for Sempervivum include houseleeks, hen-and-chickens, and hen-widdies (in the southern United States).
The name "hens and chicks" refers to the way the plant propagates. The "hen" is the main or mother plant, and the "chicks" are the offspring that grow from it.
Hens and chicks are low-maintenance plants that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels. They prefer full sun, well-drained gritty soil, and minimal fertiliser and watering.
