Sempervivum, commonly known as hen and chicks, are perennial succulents that are native to the mountainous regions of Europe and North Africa. They can tolerate temperatures as low as -6 degree Celsius, but prefer warmer weather.
Most Sempervivums are evergreen, meaning they will stay green all year long, although they may go dormant during times of extreme cold. They can survive a wide variety of growing conditions, though they prefer drier conditions and bright to filtered light.
Typically, Sempervivums reach a maximum height of six inches and spread up to twelve inches in diameter. They produce clusters of small rosettes about an inch in diameter. Sempervivum spread by producing offsets, which will create a full and attractive ground cover if given proper care.
What do I do with dead sempervivum?
If your sempervivum has died, there are some steps you can take to get rid of it. First, you’ll need to remove any dead or dying plants from the area. If the sempervivum is already dead, use a hand shovel to safely remove it from the ground.
Be sure to dispose of the plants in an appropriate way, such as placing them in a paper bag and sealing it for composting or throwing it away in a green waste receptacle. Once you have removed the dead sempervivum, you’ll need to inspect the area to determine if any other sempervivums are infected, diseased, or dying.
If so, take action to remove them as well. Finally, take a look at the overall health of your other succulents to ensure they are getting adequate amounts of light, water, and nutrients. Endeavor to follow these steps to ensure that your sempervivums remain healthy and vibrant for years to come.
Do you cut back sempervivum?
Yes, it is recommended to cut back sempervivum plants in order to promote new growth and keep the plants healthy. Sempervivum typically grow in rosettes and as the plants continue to mature, the rosettes can become leggy and unsightly.
It is best to cut just above the rosettes of the old growth to allow fresh growth to occur and to provide an overall more attractive look. To cut back sempervivum, use sharp scissors or shears to snip off the old growth.
It is recommended to do so in early spring when the plant is just beginning to wake up. This will minimize the disturbance of the plant and promote a faster recovery. After the plants have been cut back, they can be trimmed in late spring or early summer as needed.
Additionally, to promote full, healthy growth and blooming, it is important to deadhead the flowers of sempervivum. This will keep the plants looking attractive and promote more vigorous growth.
What to do with Sempervivums after flowering?
Once your Sempervivums have finished flowering, there are a few things you can do in order to keep them looking their best and encouraging blooming in the future. First, you should cut off the flowering stalk at the base, ensuring that all of the leaves and dying flowers are removed.
This will help to keep the plant looking tidy and improve air circulation around the plant, reducing the chances of it developing mold. Once the flowers are removed, check the leaves for any signs of disease or pests and take action as necessary.
To help promote future blooming, you will also want to fertilize your Sempervivums. Depending on the specific variety, you may want to give them a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 every couple of weeks during the growing season.
Alternatively, you could use a bloom booster formula such as 20-20-20, which is specifically designed to encourage blooming and flowering.
Finally, make sure you keep the soil around your Sempervivums well-drained and moist. They enjoy conditions that are on the dry side, so make sure you don’t overwater the soil, but do give it occasional waterings when the soil has dried out.
By following these simple steps, you can help your Sempervivums to flourish and produce beautiful flowers in the future.
How often should I water my Sempervivum?
Sempervivums are drought tolerant succulents and require very little water to survive. In most climates outside of the extreme, once or twice a month is enough water to keep the succulents alive and healthy.
Water them more frequently in the summer and less during the winter months. When watering them, provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the soil and the entire root zone, but don’t leave any standing water.
This helps prepare them for hot, dry days. Allow the top few inches of soil to become completely dry before watering again.
Is Sempervivum an indoor or outdoor plant?
Sempervivum, more commonly known as “hen and chicks” or “Houseleeks”, is an outdoor plant. This flowering succulent is native to Europe, but can now be found in various regions of the world, from North America to the Mediterranean.
It is a hardy, drought-resistant perennial that thrives in full sunlight and tolerates dry conditions. In its natural habitat, Sempervivum prefers rocky or sandy soils with well-draining properties. It has a flowering period of late spring to mid-summer and prefers cold winters.
When kept indoors, Sempervivum is best suited in a well lit position without direct sunlight. It requires well-draining soil, regular watering, and cool winter temperatures to survive. If given the right care, this plant can produce bright, colorful, and long lasting blossoms outdoors.
How do you take care of Sempervivum in the winter?
During the winter months, Sempervivum plants require different care than in warmer months. Here are some tips to help ensure your Sempervivum stay healthy:
1. Reduce watering significantly. In the cooler months, Sempervivum don’t need as much water and can easily suffer from waterlogging if kept too wet. Give the plants only a light watering once a month in the winter.
2. Ensure the plant has snow cover or winter protection. In warmer climates where snow cover is insufficient or non-existent, provide physical protection for your Sempervivum plants such as mulch, straw, burlap, or hay.
3. Provide a layer of insulation to the soil. A light layer of 6-8inches of mulch, hay, or straw on your Sempervivum beds will help reduce frost heaving which can be damaging to the plants with freezing and thawing conditions.
4. Keep your Sempervivum plants out of direct sunlight. These succulents prefer cooler, more shaded areas during the colder months.
5. Move your Sempervivum plants indoors if possible. If you live in a very cold climate, you may want to move your Sempervivum plants indoors for the winter where it can stay dry and warm.
Following these tips for winter care of your Sempervivum plants should help ensure that your plants make it through the winter months healthy and strong.
Do Sempervivums need feeding?
No, Sempervivums do not need feeding. These hardy plants are well-suited to growing in dry, rocky soils and thrive with minimal care. They don’t need to be fertilized, but if you want to, use an organic fertilizer like compost or manure in the early spring or autumn, as a general rule, not too much.
Feeding the plants too much fertilizer can lead to excess foliage and reduced blooming. Just make sure not to overfertilize the soil, or you may cause root damage. Additionally, Sempervivums don’t need a lot of water.
They are able to store water they receive in their leaves and store it for use during dry periods. Therefore, water them sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between watering.
Are houseleeks indoor plants?
Yes, houseleeks (Sempervivum tectorum) are popular indoor plants. Native to mountains across Europe and Asia, these tough, low-growing succulents can be found growing in crevices and rock walls in their natural environment.
Given the right environment and care, houseleeks can thrive indoors.
A houseleek can easily be grown in a container, as they prefer tight spaces and a shallow, gravelly medium. When planting, ensure that the soil is slightly sandy and well-draining, as their roots are susceptible to rot in overly wet soils.
They prefer bright light, and temperatures in the range of 55 to 75°F (13 to 24°C). It’s important to water sparingly when growing houseleeks, as these plants don’t require much moisture and will suffer from too much water.
A thorough watering once every couple of weeks is best.
These easy-to-care-for plants can make a great addition to any indoor brightly-lit spot. Just be sure to provide their preferred conditions and you’ll find that your houseleeks will thrive and provide you with an attractive, living piece of décor.
Can you grow hens and chickens in the house?
Yes, it is possible to grow hens and chickens in the house. It does require a bit of extra effort and creativity to create a safe and comfortable environment for them to live in. Firstly, you would need to have a dedicated space thatcan be used as a coop, such as a spare bathroom, garage, or other enclosed space.
Then, you would need to invest in proper housing, such as a chicken coop, as well as feed and water containers. Additionally, you would also need to provide heat and light, as well as a dust bath area.
Finally, you would need to ensure that they are provided with a safe and stimulating environment, such as providing them with chicken toys and things to explore like hiding boxes and netted areas. All of these steps will help ensure that your chickens and hens have a happy and healthy home.
Can you grow sempervivums in a container?
Yes, sempervivums can be grown in containers. The best way to do this is to choose an appropriate container for the size of your sempervivum plants. Make sure the container has adequate drainage holes.
Fill the container with a mixture of well-draining soil and some gravel or coarse sand. Avoid using potting soil, as it may retain too much water and harm your plants. Water your container-grown sempervivums sparingly, but provide enough water to keep the soil slightly moist.
During the summer, containers receive much closer attention, as they may dry out very quickly in the heat. When choosing a spot for your containers, select a sunny location with good air circulation.
Sempervivums can also be grown in semi-shade, but they won’t be as vibrant as those grown in full sun.
How fast do Sempervivums grow?
Sempervivums are slow-growing succulents that form clumps of rosette-shaped leaves. Depending on the variety and climate, their growth rate can range from a few millimeters to a few centimeters per year.
Given the right conditions, Sempervivums can live for up to 70 years, quietly developing their lovely architectural rosettes. In order for a Sempervivum to grow at its best, it needs a well-draining and porous soil, lots of light and some occasional water.
They are generally tolerant of a wide range of temperatures but require temperatures that do not drop to freezing and ideally should not exceed 100F. They’ll often require less water in warmer months and more water in cooler months, and should be watered when dry rather than on a preset schedule.
As with other succulents, it is much safer to underwater than to overwater.
Do hens and chick come back every year?
No, hens and chicks are not a annual plant, meaning they do not come back every year. Most hens and chick varieties will grow and create new offsets (or “chicks”) on their own. Depending on the variety, these new plants may remain connected with the mother plant, or take root nearby, creating a colony like appearance.
These plants can persist for many years, creating colonies of growth, but without human intervention these plants will not ‘come back’ every year. It is important to note that hens and chicks can be grown indoors or outdoors, and if grown outdoors, they will perish in the winter when temperatures drop.
If you want to ensure that your hens and chicks keep coming back year after year, it is important to ensure they are planted in a container to move indoors during the winter or they are planted in a region that stays relatively cold throughout winter months.
Can Sempervivum survive winter?
Yes, Sempervivum are hardy succulents that are well-suited to survive harsh winters. The key to their survival lies in their drought tolerance as they require very little water during their dormancy.
These succulents are able to survive temperatures below freezing, as long as they are sheltered from the cold winds that can dry out the leaves. Furthermore, they have special mechanisms to help them survive cold temperatures including a waxy leaf coating that helps to protect them from frost damage.
When the temperatures get too cold, the plant will go dormant and may appear dead, but will often come back when it gets warmer. To give your Sempervivum the best chance of surviving the winter, it is important to ensure that it does not sit in water for extended periods of time, as this will cause rot.
If your Sempervivum is exposed to heavy snows, it is best to cover the bed with a light cloth or burlap to ensure the plant does not get damaged.
Are chicken and hen plants perennial?
No, chicken and hen plants are not perennial. Chicken and hen plants are annuals, meaning they grow for one season and then die at the end of the season. They can however be grown again the following year from the saved seeds.
The seeds can be planted in the garden, and when planted, the plants will grow and flower again. This means that although the plants are annuals, they can come back every year if the seeds are planted every season.
How long does a Sempervivum last?
Sempervivum typically have a life span of around three to five years, if they are grown in optimal conditions. During this time, they will continuously produce new leaves and flowers, and eventually, pups.
After the mother plant reaches a certain age, it will typically start to die off, but the pups that it has created will continue to reproduce and form more plants with a lifespan of the same duration.
Additionally, some species of Sempervivum may be able to survive for much longer, and could even be considered ‘everlasting’. As their pups and rosettes mature, there is a high chance that more Sempervivum will regrow in the same area, making them a surprisingly low-maintenance plant for gardeners.
Should I deadhead Sempervivum?
Yes, deadheading Sempervivum is beneficial and should be done once a year. Deadheading is the process of removing dead leaves, flowers, and other debris from plants. Doing this helps the plant to maintain its overall health, allowing it to remain strong and healthy.
When deadheading Sempervivum, it is important to use sharp, sterile tools so as not to damage the plant’s foliage. It is also important to avoid removing any of the healthy leaves or flowers, as doing so can reduce the plant’s overall vigor.
Once the dead material is removed, it is important to fertilize the plant to ensure it is receiving the proper nutrition. Deadheading Sempervivum should be done carefully and with care, ensuring the plant continues to look its best.
Are Sempervivums Hardy?
Yes, Sempervivums, commonly known as “Hens and Chicks,” are extremely hardy and can withstand a wide range of temperatures and climates. They are nearly indestructible and can survive just about any type of condition.
Most varieties can handle temperatures between -30F and 85F, with some even able to withstand temperatures as low as -50F and as high as 100F. They can handle drought, heat, and frost, making them perfect for hot, dry climates.
In addition to being tolerant of extreme temperatures and climates, they also require very little water, low-maintenance care, and thrive in poor soil, which makes them perfect for container gardens or dishes.
Sempervivums are also perennial, meaning they come back year after year, making them a great addition to any garden.