Blend of succulents including hens and chicks – Courtesy, Flowergardengirl

One of my favorite groundcovers, a succulent that’s easy to grow and which has a unique look, are Hens and Chicks, or Sempervivums. The latin translation: Semper means “forever” while vivo means “live”. Live forever is an apt name, as hens and chicks will flourish in tough conditions, produce a low, compact weed barrier, and continue to spread if left unchecked. Hens and chicks are also known as Houseleaks.

Perennial Hens and chicks are succulents, drought tolerant, and come in several varieties. As they grow, they spread out into “mats”, or “colonies”, which are compact, grow to a height of 3-4 inches tall and 6-8 inches wide, and flourish in Zones 3-11.

The hens are called “rosettes” which produce smaller rosettes, which are the chicks. Hens produce small flowers, which are pinkish white and dainty. Once the hen flowers, it “dies” where the chicks remain. You can “split” off the chicks from the hen. Once the chick is planted in soil they’ll easily take “root”. They’re great for slopes, planting among rocks, or filling in a spot. If you allow the small pods on the plants to “dry”, you can break them open and collect the seeds.

I’ve worked with these fascinating little plants for over a decade, using them in desert and alpine rock gardens, pots, and flower beds. I’ve found that they can withstand “tough” conditions: poor soil, low water, extreme cold, broiling sun, and no fertilizer. They did their job admirably, each year covering more area while forming a weed barrier as they spread out. They also gave a unique look to my landscape.

Hens and chicks can be found in nurseries, bought online and shipped to your home, or, if you’re lucky enough to know someone who has them in their garden, are easily divided. You can also obtain seeds from seed exchanges or from nurseries.

There are several varieties: Grey Dawn, which is grayish-green, Purple Beauty, a deep bronze purple, and Commander Hay, a burgundy red. I’ve planted them in patterns, mixed them up, and displayed them in pots. They survived in outside pots in below zero winters.

They do best in soil that succulents love: well-drained or rocky, low water, and occasional sun. Hens and chicks prefer this type of soil over soil that is highly mulched and/or and fertilized.

My crop of hens and chicks flourished in the high desert: 7,000 ft. elevation, less than 10 inches annual precipitation, that included up to 60″ of snow, -20(F) temperatures in the winter, broiling hot sun in the summer, with temps up to 106 (F). They also withstood drought conditions where an occasional drink of water from the hose sufficed. What they can’t seem to stand is over-watering, high humidity, or excessive fertilizer. If you live where there is high humidity, a soil that drains well may be all that is needed with occasional sun.

Image Courtesy of BlossomFarm.com

European peasants supplemented their thatched roofs with hens and chicks while American pioneers on the wind swept plains used them as roofing material on sod houses. These days, gardeners are rediscovering the “forever live” hens and chicks, a hardy, delightfully maintenance free plant, great for groundcovers, rock gardens, and pots, both indoor and out.

By LBG

Image - Hens and Chicks
Image – Hens and Chicks II