Hen and chicks

Hen and chicks is a common name for a group of small succulents belonging to the Crassulaceae that grow close to the ground with leaves formed around each other in a rosette, propagating by offsets. The 'hen' is the main plant, and the 'chicks' are the offspring, which start as tiny buds on the main plant and soon sprout their own roots, taking up residence close to the mother plant.

Plants commonly referred to as "Hens and chicks" include ground hugging species of Sempervivum (Houseleeks) such as Sempervivum 'Pekinese', Sempervivum arachnoideum (Cobweb Houseleek), and Sempervivum tectorum (Common Houseleek); the related genus Jovibarba, sometimes considered a subgenus; and Echeveria. The name is also used for some species of Sedums and Bergenia.

Aside from the common morphology, the many varieties of hen and chicks differ widely in appearance. Colors range from lime green to burgundy to purple, and size varies from as small as a pencil eraser to as large as eight inches across. Leaves can be thin and spiky or thick and rounded with a pointed tip. Some, such as Cobweb Houseleek, have a fine spider-web-like filament that naturally grows from leaf edge to leaf edge forming a white cover on the top of the plant, while some others have fine hairs that cover the entire plant structure.

Upon maturity (usually around 3 to 4 years old) the plant will send up a single stalk that is several inches tall. The head of the stalk is a cluster of star shaped flower buds about half an inch in diameter, ranging in color from dark pink to yellow, that bloom for several weeks. After blooming, the plant will die. Usually by this time, it has produced many offsets ('chicks').

Hen and chicks are popular in gardens for their varied and interesting appearance and hardiness. They are great for container planting or rock gardens. They do best in well drained, rocky soil; if they stay wet, the outer leaves will rot. Although they do best in sun, they will grow in shade.

External links

• in French and in English, some pages in German and Spanish. Photos from the species in their natural habitat.
• mostly in German