Claire Thompson
If you're looking for a low-maintenance succulent to add to your garden, hens and chicks are a great option for both indoor and outdoor planting. These succulents can be planted at any time of the year, but it's best to avoid extreme temperatures as this can cause the plant to go into shock. Spring planting is ideal, as your hens will be able to produce chicks during the warmer months and quickly fill your garden or pots. If you're planting outdoors, aim for 5 to 7 weeks before the first frost. When deciding where to plant your hens and chicks, choose a sunny location with well-drained, sandy or gritty soil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Planting time | Any time of the year, but avoid extreme heat and freezing temperatures |
| Soil type | Sandy, gritty, well-drained |
| Watering | Requires very little water |
| Fertilizer | Requires very little fertilizer |
| Sunlight | Full sun (at least 6 hours daily) |
| Temperature | 65–75°F (18–24°C) |
| Container | Clay pots with cactus or succulent mix |
| Propagation | Can be propagated from seeds or offsets |
| Pruning | Divide the chicks from the hen every two years to prevent overcrowding |
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What You'll Learn
Planting in spring
Spring is a great time to plant your hen and chick plants, especially if you want to see them quickly fill your garden or pots. The ideal temperature for these plants is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 degrees Celsius). In spring, you can expect the temperature to be within this range, providing the perfect environment for your hen and chick plants to thrive.
When planting in spring, it is best to wait until after the last frost in your area. This is usually around late spring. By avoiding extreme temperatures, you prevent the plants from going into shock. If you live in a colder zone, you can plant your hen and chicks where they face south or along a south-facing wall to benefit from more sunlight and warmth during the colder months.
Choose a sunny location in your garden, as these plants require full sun for optimal growth and health. If growing indoors, ensure your plant receives at least six hours of sunlight daily. Place the plants in well-drained, sandy, or gritty soil, mimicking their preferred natural habitat of rock gardens and wall crevices. If your soil is heavy and doesn't drain well, improve drainage by mixing in gravel, pumice, perlite, or sand.
When planting, use a small shovel or hand trowel to dig a hole. Place the crown, or centre of the main rosette, level with the soil, mirroring its position in its original pot. Ensure the plant has some room to grow, even if you're planting it among rocks or a rock wall.
With their low-maintenance nature, hen and chick plants are a great addition to any garden or indoor space. They will soon spread and fill your landscape with their unique and varied foliage.
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Fall planting
Fall is a great time to plant hens and chicks, also known as Sempervivum tectorum, an alpine plant that is a member of the Sempervivum group of succulent plants. In fact, fall is a very popular time to plant these hardy succulents, as they can establish strong root systems during this time. Although the foliage doesn't grow much in the fall and winter, their roots grow rapidly. This means that by spring, your hens and chicks will be well-established and ready to spread and fill in your growing space.
When planting in the fall, it is recommended to do so 5-7 weeks before the ground freezes in your area. This gives the plants enough time to acclimate to the colder weather gradually. While they are very cold-hardy, it is best to have them established in the ground before winter hits to improve their chances of survival.
Hens and chicks require full sun and well-drained, gritty soil. They don't need much fertilizer and, as succulents, they are accustomed to very little water. You can use regular potting soil or add extra perlite for better drainage and compost for additional nutrients. If you're planting them in pots, you can also use a cactus or succulent mix, or make your own with two parts topsoil, two parts sand, and one part perlite.
If you're bringing your hens and chicks indoors for the winter, place them in a location with strong light and barely water them through to early spring. In the spring, you can start watering them again and providing fertilizer during spring and summer irrigation.
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Avoiding extreme temperatures
The ideal temperature range for hen and chick plants is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 degrees Celsius). They can tolerate temperatures outside this range, but extreme temperatures can cause them to become semi-dormant and stop growing. Therefore, it is important to avoid exposing them to extreme hot or cold temperatures for prolonged periods.
In general, hen and chick plants are quite resilient and can survive in a wide range of climates. They are known to be winter hardy and can withstand freezing temperatures, with some sources stating that they can tolerate temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it is recommended that they are established in the ground before winter arrives to improve their chances of survival. This means planting them 5-7 weeks before the ground freezes in your area, giving them enough time to spread their roots.
During the winter, hen and chick plants may go dormant, especially if they are in pots. The leaves may turn brown and die, but this is a normal protective mechanism. You can bring them indoors during this time, but it is important to ensure that they still receive full sunlight and that the temperature difference is not too drastic, as this can cause stress and potentially kill the plant. If you choose to keep them outdoors, cover them with a few leaves to protect them from the cold.
In terms of planting, fall is a popular time for hen and chick plants as the cooler temperatures promote root growth. However, if you live in an area with particularly cold winters, it is important to plant them early enough in the fall so that they have time to establish themselves before the ground freezes.
In extreme heat, hen and chick plants may experience heat stress, so it is important to provide them with some shade and ensure they are getting enough water. Overall, these plants are quite low-maintenance and can thrive in a variety of temperatures as long as they are not exposed to extreme or sudden fluctuations for prolonged periods.
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Caring for indoor plants
Hens and chicks are a low-maintenance succulent that can be grown indoors or outdoors. They are versatile and can tolerate both cold and warm temperatures, making them suitable for various climates and conditions. Here are some detailed tips for caring for your indoor hens and chicks:
Planting
Hens and chicks can be planted indoors at any time of the year, as long as you avoid extreme temperatures. Aim for spring planting if possible, as this will allow your hens to produce chicks during the warmer months. When planting, use a small shovel or hand trowel to create a hole for the plant.
Soil and Fertilizer
Hens and chicks require very little soil and can be grown in a sandy or gritty mix that drains well. Avoid using rich soil or too much fertilizer, as this can lead to flowering and the eventual death of the plant. A cactus or succulent mix is ideal for potted plants, or you can create your own mix with two parts topsoil, two parts sand, and one part perlite.
Sunlight
Provide your indoor hens and chicks with at least six hours of sunlight daily. Place them in a sunny location, preferably facing south or along a south-facing wall if you live in a colder zone. If the temperature is extremely hot or dry, partial shade is also suitable.
Watering
Hens and chicks are drought-tolerant and do not require frequent watering. Check the soil for dryness before watering, and only water if the soil is dry. Water your plants deeply and slowly about once a week, and they will thrive.
Propagation and Pruning
Hens and chicks propagate by producing offsets or "chicks" from the mother plant or "hen". These can be gently pulled off and installed in a new location. To prevent overcrowding, divide the chicks from the mother plant at least every two years. When the mother plant flowers and dies, remove the stalk or leave it to collapse and become compost for the rest of the plant.
By following these tips, you can successfully care for your indoor hens and chicks plants, enjoying their unique foliage and geometric growth habit with minimal maintenance required.
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Soil and fertiliser requirements
Hens and chicks are drought-tolerant and can thrive in various temperatures, humidity levels, and poor soils. They are well-suited to rock gardens, stone walls, and stepping stones, or as ground cover. They can even grow in rock crevasses. When it comes to soil, they have some specific preferences.
Firstly, hens and chicks require well-drained soil. If your plant's leaves turn soft and wilt, it may be a sign that the soil is not draining well, and your plant is rotting. In this case, you should amend the soil with sand or gravel. You can also add gravel mulch to the potting soil to help moderate water evaporation and hold moisture.
Secondly, they prefer sandy or gritty soil with a neutral pH. This is because soil pH affects the availability of nutrients to the plants, and a neutral pH ensures they can easily access the nutrients they need. You can test your soil's pH with a kit from a garden centre or online. If it is not neutral, you can add additives like perlite, sand, pumice, or gravel to adjust it.
Thirdly, they require nutrient-rich soil, but not overly so. They appreciate a slow-release fertiliser designed for succulents or cacti that is low in nitrogen and includes beneficial soil microbes. Be careful not to over-fertilise, as this can cause the plant to flower and die. Potted plants will need more fertiliser than those in the ground. A liquid fertiliser diluted by half should be watered in during spring and summer irrigation. Do not fertilise at all in summer or cold weather.
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Frequently asked questions
Spring is a great time to plant hen and chicks as they will be able to produce chicks during the warmer months. If you are planting outdoors, make sure to do so 5-7 weeks before the first frost.
Yes, you can plant hen and chicks in the fall. In fact, fall is a very popular time to plant hen and chicks. Their roots grow well in the fall and winter, and they will be ready to spread and fill in the growing space in the spring.
It is not advisable to plant hen and chicks in the summer as extreme heat can cause the plant to go into shock.
It is not advisable to plant hen and chicks when the temperature is freezing. If you are in a temperate climate, you can plant hen and chicks outdoors year-round.
The ideal temperature for hen and chicks is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 degrees Celsius).
