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The genus name of Hens and Chicks, Sempervivum, means "live forever" because they grow and propagate so readily. These succulents are also known as semps, houseleeks, old man and woman, and roof house leeks, and their foliage rosettes are uniquely beautiful. They add year-round color to any garden and can create a nice groundcover mat in full sun. They are also drought-tolerant and very hardy, requiring little to no maintenance. They are excellent for rock gardens, crevices in rock walls, decorative containers, and as low maintenance houseplants. With over 3,000 named Sempervivum cultivars, these succulents are available in all colors, shapes, textures and sizes. This seed mix is specifically from our personal collection of over 15 different Hens and Chicks.
Hens and Chicks are so named because the main plant (or mother hen) surrounds herself with miniature replicas/offshoots (her chicks). The Hen eventually shoots out a flower stalk and dies, but her chicks live on and become the hens, creating more chicks. These plants are truly fascinating to watch over their growth cycle.
Hens and Chicks originated in Europe and western Asia. In ancient Rome, they were planted on the roofs of homes. It was believed they would prevent witches from landing on your roof, and conferred prosperity and safety to those who dwelled within. The Roman emperor Charlemagne commanded his subjects to plant hens and chicks on their roofs to prevent lightning strikes, a practice that probably stemmed from the ancients’ belief that hens and chicks were earthly manifestations of Jupiter and Thor, the Roman and Norse gods of thunder. Even today, many roofs in Wales are adorned with hens and chicks.
Michigan Seeds and Plants grown on our farm, Renegade Acres, in Howell, MI!
Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.
Additional Info
| Botanical Name | Sempervivum sp. |
|---|---|
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Min. Time to Germinate | 7 Days |
| Max. Time to Germinate | 30 Days |
| Depth to Sow Seeds | Surface Sow; press seeds gently into the soil to make good contact, but do not cover with any additional soil; these seeds require light to germinate |
| When to Sow | Indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost |
| Growing Height | Under 6 in. (15 cm) |
| Plant Spacing | 6-9 in. (15-22 cm) |
| Hardiness | USDA Zone 3b: to -30F, USDA Zone 4a: to -25F, USDA Zone 4b: to -20F, USDA Zone 5a: to -15F, USDA Zone 5b: to -10F, USDA Zone 6a: to -5F, USDA Zone 6b: to 0F, USDA Zone 7a: to 5F, USDA Zone 7b: to 10F, USDA Zone 8a: to 15F, USDA Zone 8b: to 20F, USDA Zone 9a: to 25F, USDA Zone 9b: to 30F, USDA Zone 10a: to 35F, USDA Zone 10b: to 40F, USDA Zone 11a: to 45F |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
| Danger | N/A |
| Foliage | Evergreen, Grown for Foliage |
| Other Details | Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping |
| Soil pH Requirements | 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) |
| Propagation Methods | By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets), From leaf cuttings, From seed; sow indoors before last frost |
| Seed Collecting | Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds |
| Seeds Per Pack | 50 |
