Hen and chicks
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Jovibarba globifera (syn. Sempervivum globiferum) showing larger mother plants ("hens") and smaller, globe-shaped offsets ("chicks", "globi").
Sempervivum tectorum (Common Houseleek)
Hen and chicks is a common name for a group of small succulents belonging to the flowering plant family Crassulaceae, native to Europe and northern Africa. They grow close to the ground with leaves formed around each other in a rosette, and propagating by offsets. The 'hen' is the main plant, and the 'chicks' are the offspring, which start as tiny buds on the main plant and soon sprout their own roots, taking up residence close to the mother plant.
Plants commonly referred to as "Hens and chicks" include ground hugging species of Sempervivum (Houseleeks) such as Sempervivum 'Pekinese', Sempervivum arachnoideum (Cobweb Houseleek), and Sempervivum tectorum (Common Houseleek); the related genus Jovibarba, and Echeveria. The name is also used for some species of Sedum and Bergenia.
Aside from the common morphology, the many species of hen and chicks differ widely in appearance. Colours range from lime green to burgundy to purple, and size varies from as small as 1 cm to as large as 20 cm across. The leaves can be thin and spiky or thick and rounded with a pointed tip. Some, such as Cobweb Houseleek, have fine spider-web-like filaments that grows naturally from leaf edge to leaf edge forming a white cover on the top of the plant, while some others have fine hairs that cover the entire plant structure.
Upon maturity (usually around 3 to 4 years old) the plant will send up a single stalk that can reach 5-15 cm tall. The head of the stalk is a cluster of star shaped flower buds 1-2 cm in diameter, ranging in colour from dark pink to yellow, that flower for several weeks. After blooming, the plant will die. Usually by this time, it has produced many offsets ('chicks').
Hen and chicks are popular in gardens for their varied and interesting appearance and hardiness. They are grown as container planting or rock gardens. They do best in well drained, rocky soil; if they stay wet, the outer leaves will rot. Although they do best in sun, they will grow in light shade.
External links
- [in French and in English, some pages in German and Spanish. Photos from the species in their natural habitat.]
- [mostly in German]
- [Detailed information on Common Houseleek, Hen-and-Chickens, Old Man and Woman, Roof House Leek]
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