Growing Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum)

Hens and Chicks also called Houseleeks are cold hardy perennial broadleaf evergreen succulents. Hens and Chicks are extremely cold hardy to USDA Zone 3 (-40°F). They may suffer at those temps, but should bounce back. They are guaranteed hardy to Zone 4 (-30°F). Since these guys are succulents, they do not like wet soils. They need full sun, and require excellent drainage. If your soil is all clay, make sure the soil is away from standing water, like on top of a mound, or protected from rain. Another way to make drainage better is to add organic matter to the soil. Adding sand to clay does NOT equal better drainage. This will actually fill up even more pores in the soil, thus having even worse drainage than before. Add fertilizer, or compost to the soil will loosen up drainage. One other thing you can add to loosen up drainage is adding perlite. This is a fine pebble like material that is good at absorbing oxygen and helping soil to dry. I have experimented with Hens and Chicks indoors, and they do not require a dormant state every Winter. They can be grown as houseplants, or in tropical regions. I mix them with my other regular succulents.

NatureMan