11 named cultivars

cactus succulent

Hens and Chicks

The Story

Plant Bio

Sempervivum tectorum, hen and chicks, is a low evergreen succulent native to southern Europe, forming flat rosettes three to four inches across. Thick fleshy pointed leaves, often tipped purple, spread horizontally, and each rosette produces offsets around its base — the chicks that give the plant its common name and its steady spread across a surface.

Each individual rosette is monocarpic: it flowers once on a short stalk, sets seed and dies, but the surrounding offsets carry the colony on indefinitely. The species name means 'of roofs' — it was traditionally planted on European roofs, and it genuinely survives in almost no soil, which is why it works in wall crevices and shallow containers.

Uses & Benefits:

Geometric rosettes in green, red and purple, holding form all year with no attention.

Survives on almost no soil, water or care, thriving in walls, roofs and shallow pots.

Flowers attract bees; the mats give cover for small invertebrates in dry sites.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Cactus Succulent

Height

4 inches

Width

12 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Southern Europe

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in very sharply drained gritty soil.
Choose full sun to partial shade.
Set rosettes shallowly; do not bury the crown.
Water sparingly; it needs almost none.
Detach offsets to spread the colony.
Keep winter moisture off the rosettes.

Pro Tip

Grow it in grit rather than compost — it survives on almost nothing, and rich damp soil is what kills it.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in gritty, sharply drained soil 🪨
Detach offsets to propagate 🌱
Use it in walls, troughs and shallow pots 🏺
Keep winter wet off the crowns ❄️

Don't

Plant in rich or moisture-retentive compost ❌
Overwater ❌
Panic when a flowering rosette dies ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Water

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Wall crevice and rock garden plantingShallow trough and container displaysGreen roof and gravel planting

Companion Plants

SedumThyme Ice Plant DianthusSaxifrage

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Hens and Chicks questions

What zones can Hens and Chicks grow in?

Hens and Chicks is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Hens and Chicks deer resistant?

Yes — Hens and Chicks is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Hens and Chicks bloom?

Hens and Chicks typically blooms in summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Hens and Chicks need full sun?

Hens and Chicks does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Hens and Chicks drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Hens and Chicks handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.