Plant Min Zone: 4a
Plant Max Zone: 7b
Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun
Water / Rainfall: Very Low, Low, Average
Soil Quality: Poor, Average
Bloom Season: Early Summer, Summer
Flower Color: Mauve, Pink
Berry / Fruit Color: None
Spring Foliage Color: Reddish Green
Summer Foliage Color: Reddish Green
Fall Foliage Color: Reddish Green
Evergreen Foliage: Yes
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Low
Wind Tolerance: High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Sandy Soils, Rocky Soils
Height: 0.5' - 1'
Width: 0.5' - 1'
Growth Rate: Slow
Service Life: Medium: 3-5 years
Maintenance Need: Low
Spreading Potential: Extremely Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Evergreen Perennial Only if Winter-Kill Occurs.
Plant Grouping Size: Small Grouping of 3-5
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure, East Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Under Roof Overhang, Thin Roof Garden Locations, Survives Severe Drought, Top of Retaining Wall Locations, Resistant to Rabbits
Ornamental Features: Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: None
Possible Pest Problems: Stem/Crown Disease, Aphids
Plant Limitations: Environmental Stress / Decline, Needs Excellent Drainage
These tiny perennial succulents (Sempervivum sp.) produce various colored mats of foliage rosettes. In favorable conditions they can spread rapidly by offsets; several species are valued in cultivation as groundcover for dry, sunny locations. Hen & Chicks are native to alpine mountainous areas in native to southern Europe and northern Africa. Grow this small native gem in a rock garden, in cracks between rocks, or on top of or in a retaining wall. You may also grow in flat areas like in between stepping stones provided you used a gravelly or sandy base for the stones. It will not tolerate rich moist soils as other plants or weeds will shade it out. Crown rot can occur during lengthy hot humid summer rainy periods. Hen & Chicks do not thrive indoors; aphids and spider mites seem to find them after a few months but overwintering indoors in a cool environment may work. Plants with plenty of time to acclimate will thrive in full sun but be careful not to rush it or sunburning will occur. Generally if moving outside for the summer, allow 2-3 weeks of part shade or morning sun before placing in full sun. If grown in pots and kept on the dry side, you may leave out all winter allowing to freeze solid; plants will go dormant and resume growth in the spring. This is more successful than overwintering inside. Great low maintenance cold hardy succulent. Burgundy Hen & Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) are brightly colored with new growth emerging bright purple darkening with age.