Sempervivum Calcareum (Hens and Chicks)

Description

Sempervivum Calcareum Also called the Hens and Chicks plant or the Houseleek, it’s an attractive, easy-care, mat-forming, evergreen succulent plant that has neat rosettes of grey-blue leaves tipped with a distinct purplish-red edge. The name “Hens and Chicks” derives from the succulent plant’s growth habit. From a central rosette or ‘hen’, the plant sends out tiny side shoots or ‘stolons’ that bear small off-sets, known as chicks, which grow around the ‘hen’ plant, eventually filling the pot or garden bed. Every rosette is reminiscent of a tightly packed flower.

Hens are a great selection for rock gardens, stone walls, small pots and containers where its clumping or creeping growth will really have the best look and show. They will bloom beautifully in the sun on patios or balconies in a flower garden for low plants in-between paver stones or rocks. This hen plant is also very simple to separate to make further hens with time, therefore filling up your flower beds, containers or patches in your small gardening area within a season or two.

Sempervivum Calcareum couldn’t be less fussy to look after; it’s really resistant to heat, drought and even a bit of neglect! This succulent needs to be watered very little once established and flourishes in plenty of sunlight – which also coaxes the reddest hues into its leaves. Simply plant in free-draining compost in a sunny position, give it a little while and you'll have pink starry flower spikes to admire come summer.

Key Features

• Neat, symmetrical rosettes of blue-green leaves with reddish-purple tips
• Classic 'Hens and Chicks' growth habit, producing offset rosettes around the main plant
• Highly drought-tolerant and generally cold-hardy once established
• Forms a dense, spreading mat ideal for rockeries and groundcover
• Low water requirement, ideal for busy or beginner plant parents
• Very easy to propagate and divide into new plants
• Can produce pink, star-shaped flower spikes during summer
• A hardy, charming addition for rock gardens and container displays

Care at a Glance

Product Specifications

What's in the Box

• 1 × Live Sempervivum Calcareum plant
• 1 × Pot (Bare-rooted/Pot: Optional)
• Well-draining potting mix
• Basic care guide

Important Notes

• Natural variation in rosette size, colour intensity, and number of offsets is normal from plant to plant
• Some leaf drop during transit is common for succulents and the plant usually recovers within a week or two
• Be cautious not to water excessively during monsoons, as this succulent’s roots easily rot in waterlogged conditions.
• Allow it to get gradually accustomed to direct sunlight if it has been held in less light for travel
• A rosette naturally dies back after flowering, but the surrounding offset chicks will continue to grow and fill the pot
• Colour intensity depends on sunlight exposure and can appear more green in lower light conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: The main rosette on my Sempervivum died after it flowered. Why? 

A: That’s normal for them. The rosettes are monocarpic, they only flower once, and die off when it’s done. The good news is that the offset chicks around the base of it will continue to grow and take over!

Q: How much should I water the Sempervivum Calcareum?

A: Water lightly, allow the soil to dry completely, about every 12-16 days depending on the climate. These are hardy succulents, however, it is better not to over water this variety to avoid rot in roots. 

Q: Can I cultivate Sempervivum Calcareum indoors?

A:Sempervivum Calcareum prefers a light and bright outdoors, balcony or terrace location to be able to remain compact, vivid and to maintain bright colour. In the indoors it may not find sufficient light and may elongate the stems.

Q: How quickly do these grow?

A: These are a slow to medium grower but these tend to reliably pop off offsets, chicks from the base which spread into a fuller, clumping, mat like form over a season or two.

Q: Does this plant need fertiliser?

A: No need, this is a sturdy succulent and typically is quite happy with its lot in poorer soil. It does naturally survive in stony conditions so has a lot of resilience when it comes to nutrients.

Q: Is Sempervivum Calcareum safe for pets?

A: This succulent is non-toxic for pets and humans so is suitable for households with pets. Of course, it is advised that your pet should not eat or ingest any part of the houseplant.