Succulents – Hens and Chicks

• Hens and Chicks

Botanical name: sempervivum tectorum

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: up to 12  inches in height with up to an 18 inch  spread

Bloom time:  summer. This succulent does not bloom until it is at least 3 – 4 years old and it only blooms once in its lifetime. It has a life expectancy of about 7 years.

Hardy zone: zones 5 – 9 (can handle temperatures down to 30 degrees)

Flower color: pink, purple

Foliage color: green, blue, purple, pink, red, gray 

Growth rate: can reach maturity in first growing season

Pruning instructions: no pruning necessary

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: succulent garden, groundcover

Light needs: about 6 hours of sun a day, but can tolerate less

Special features: Medical benefits 

Watering instructions:  drought tolerant, weekly watering recommended

Fertilizing instructions : use a diluted cacti fertilizer after planting and repeat once a year in the spring 

Best time to plant: spring or summer 

Best type of soil: loam, sand 

Companion plants: snake plant, aloe vera, Echeveria 

Toxicity level: potentially mildly toxic if ingested 

Invasive species: no