Have you ever seen those adorable little rosette-shaped succulents that look like tiny green flowers? Those are probably hens and chicks plants! These fascinating little succulents have been growing in popularity, and for good reason – they’re super cute, incredibly resilient, and add a unique texture to any garden or container.
I’ve been growing these fascinating little plants for years and let me tell you, they never fail to impress visitors to my garden. In this article I’ll walk you through exactly what hens and chicks plants look like, how to identify them, and share some tips on growing these charming succulents.
The Basic Appearance of Hens and Chicks Plants
Hens and chicks plants (botanically known as Sempervivum) are distinctive succulents with a very recognizable appearance:
- Rosette Formation: The most noticeable feature is their symmetrical rosette shape, formed by fleshy, pointed leaves arranged in a circular pattern.
- Parent and Offspring Structure: They grow in clusters with a larger “hen” (mother plant) surrounded by smaller “chicks” (offsets/babies).
- Size: Individual rosettes typically range from 1 to 4 inches tall and 2 to 12 inches in diameter.
- Spreading Habit: Over time, the offsets can spread to create a colony 24 to 36 inches wide.
One of the coolest things about these plants is how the parent plant connects to its babies through thin roots or runners, creating what looks like a little succulent family all clustered together!
The Colorful Palette of Hens and Chicks
Don’t be fooled into thinking these are just plain green plants. Hens and chicks come in a stunning array of colors that can transform with the seasons:
- Green Varieties: From pale lime to deep forest green
- Red/Purple Varieties: Rich burgundy, plum, and reddish-purple tones
- Blue/Gray Varieties: Soft blue-green to silvery gray tones
- Bicolors: Many varieties feature tips of a different color than the base, creating a beautiful gradient effect
- Seasonal Changes: Many varieties change color throughout the year, often becoming more vibrant with sun exposure and cooler temperatures
I’ve got a variety called ‘Sunset’ in my garden that starts out green with burgundy tips, but in fall, it takes on these gorgeous orange-red hues that are absolutely breathtaking!
The Life Cycle and Flowering
One of the most fascinating aspects of hens and chicks is their unique life cycle and flowering process
- Normal Growth: Most of the time, they appear as low-growing rosettes
- Flowering Stage: After about 3 years, the mother plant (hen) will sometimes send up a tall flower stalk
- Stalk Appearance: This flower stalk can grow from a few inches up to a foot tall, giving the plant an almost alien appearance
- Flower Colors: The blooms are typically pink, white, or yellow with bristling stamen
- Post-Flowering: After flowering, the mother rosette dies (it’s monocarpic), but the offspring continue to grow
It’s kinda sad when you see your favorite hen flowering because you know it’s saying goodbye, but it’s also pretty amazing to witness this natural cycle. And don’t worry – by the time a hen flowers, it’s usually produced many chicks to carry on!
Different Types of Hens and Chicks Plants
There are many varieties of Sempervivum with distinct appearances:
Common Varieties:
-
Sempervivum tectorum (Common Houseleek):
- The most widely available species
- Comes in two main variations: var. arvernense (with velvet-like hair-covered leaves) and var. tectorum (smooth leaves edged with hairs)
-
Sempervivum arachnoideum (Cobweb Houseleek):
- Features distinctive white, cobweb-like fibers across the rosettes
- These fibrous strands help retain moisture
- Typically smaller rosettes than other varieties
-
Sempervivum calcareum:
- Known for large rosettes with striking patterns
- Often has blue-green foliage with maroon tips
- Forms dense colonies
-
Sempervivum heuffelii (Job’s Beard):
- Notable for maintaining vibrant colors year-round
- More tolerant of cold, rain, heat, and drought than other varieties
- Often displays beautiful creamy leaf margins
How to Distinguish Hens and Chicks from Similar Plants
There are several succulents that resemble hens and chicks, making identification sometimes confusing:
- Echeveria: Similar rosette form but usually larger, with wider, spoon-shaped leaves
- Graptopetalum (Mexican Ghost Plant): Has more triangular leaves and a more powdery appearance
- Graptoveria: A hybrid that looks similar but typically has thicker leaves
- Haworthia: Has more pointed, sometimes striped leaves arranged in a rosette
- Aeonium: Forms larger rosettes, often on woody stems
The easiest way to tell them apart is usually the size and the way they produce offsets. True hens and chicks (Sempervivum) produce offsets above the soil on stolons, while some of these other plants offset differently.
What to Expect Throughout the Seasons
Hens and chicks plants change their appearance throughout the year:
- Spring: Plants begin active growth, producing new offsets
- Summer: This is when flowering typically occurs, with tall stalks emerging from mature rosettes
- Fall: Many varieties develop more intense coloration as temperatures cool
- Winter: Plants become somewhat dormant but remain evergreen, with some varieties taking on deeper coloration
These plants are super hardy and can survive freezing temperatures. I’ve seen mine buried under snow and emerge looking perfectly fine in spring!
Caring for Hens and Chicks Plants
If you wanna grow these beautiful succulents, here’s what you should know:
- Light: Plant in full sun for best coloration, though they can tolerate partial shade in very hot climates
- Soil: Need well-draining, sandy or gravelly soil
- Water: Drought-tolerant; water only when soil is completely dry
- Container Growing: Excellent for shallow containers, rock gardens, or crevices
- Propagation: Simply separate the chicks from the hen and replant
My favorite thing about these plants is how low-maintenance they are. I literally forget about mine for weeks at a time, and they still look amazing!
Common Questions About Hens and Chicks Appearance
Do hens and chicks plants always have the same appearance?
No! Their appearance can vary dramatically based on:
- The specific variety
- Sun exposure
- Season
- Age of the plant
- Growing conditions
How can I tell if my hens and chicks plant is healthy?
A healthy plant will have:
- Firm, fleshy leaves
- Compact rosettes
- No mushy or discolored areas
- Steadily producing new offsets
Why did my green hens and chicks turn red or purple?
This is usually caused by:
- Increased sun exposure
- Temperature changes, especially cooler weather
- Stress factors like drought
- Natural coloration developing as the plant matures
Final Thoughts on Hens and Chicks Plants
Hens and chicks plants are some of the most distinctive and charming succulents you can grow. Their unique rosette form, vibrant colors, and fascinating life cycle make them favorites among gardeners.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for an easy-care plant or an experienced gardener wanting to add texture and interest to your garden, these little succulents deliver big results. Their ability to thrive in poor soil and withstand drought makes them perfect for rock gardens, containers, or even roof gardens (hence the old name “house leek”).
Have you grown hens and chicks in your garden? What’s your favorite variety? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
When Do Hens and Chicks Plants Bloom?
A rambunctious clump of hens and chicks has a special allure to children and adults alike. The small plants are adaptable and resilient, producing flower-like clusters of varying-sized rosettes. Gardeners new to the plants may say, “My hens and chicks are flowering,” and wonder if this is a natural occurrence. Blooms on hens and chicks plants are not only natural but an additional wonder with this fun, diminutive Sempervivum. I love to walk the garden and see that my hens and chicks are flowering. This generally occurs in summer when the long warm days and bright light jar the plant’s instincts to form blooms. This signals the beginning or end of the plant’s life cycle, depending upon whether you are a glass half empty or glass half full kind of gardener. Hens will usually live for 3 years before they form flowers but, occasionally, stressed plants will bloom earlier. The tiny, starry flowers amp up the magic of these succulents, but it does mean the plant is forming seed and will die. Not to despair, though, because the lost plant will quickly fill in with a new rosette and the cycle will march on yet again.
About Hens and Chicks Flowers
A blooming hen on a hen and chicks plant is often referred to as a “rooster.” The individual rosettes will begin to elongate and lengthen vertically when it is time to produce flowers. The process lends an alien appearance to the normally low-growing plants, with flower stalks that can get from a few inches (7.5 to 10 cm.) up to a foot (30.5 cm.) in length. Removing the budding stem can’t save the rosette. The blooms on hens and chicks plants are a part of a monocarpic process. That means they flower, seed, and then die. There is nothing to be done about it so you might as well enjoy the pink, white, or yellow flowers with bristling, erect stamen. Their work will soon be done, but the plant should already have produced many smaller rosettes, the future of the line.