Sempervivum tectorum, commonly known as Common Houseleek or Hens and Chicks, is a low-growing succulent plant. It is considered an alpine or rock garden plant because of its hardiness and drought resistance. The main rosette, the "hen," produces small rosette offsets known as the "chicks."
The genus name "Sempervivum" is Latin for "live forever." The plants do not really live forever, but they seem to last forever since they produce the "chicks."
Growing Conditions
Light: Common Houseleeks require full sun and well-drained, even gritty soil.
Water: As a succulent, it is accustomed to very little water.
Temperature: The ideal temperature for Common Houseleeks is between 65 and 75 °F (18 and 24 °C). When temperatures zoom upwards or plummet, the plants become semi-dormant and cease growing.
Soil: As with most succulents, Common Houseleek needs excellent drainage. Poor, sandy soil would be just fine. You could work some peat into heavier soil to lighten them and improve drainage. Soil pH should be in the neutral range, 6.6 to 7.5.
Fertilizer: No fertilizer is needed.
Growing Tips
Common Houseleek can be grown from seeds, seedlings, or by dividing offsets.
Do not plant your Common Houseleeks too deeply. Dig a shallow hole and spread the roots. Cover the plant's crown and tamp the soil gently so that the plant is firm in the ground. Water lightly, but you do not need to water newly planted Common Houseleek daily, as you would with nonsucculents. Common Houseleeks need to let their roots dry out between waterings.
Seeds can be sprinkled on a soil gravel mix and kept moderately moist until germinating. Once they sprout, spread some fine gravel around them as mulch. Seeds are usually started in pots and then transferred to the garden as seedlings. You can sow your seeds in the fall and transplant the seedlings in the spring.
Common Houseleeks will spread by underground roots. Each plant multiplies by at least 4 in a growing season, producing little offset around the perimeter of the "hen." These are the "chicks." They can be snapped off and replanted elsewhere at any time.
Once established, maintenance of Common Houseleeks is minimal. You will need to remove the old hens after they flower and divide chicks as needed. Except in extremely hot, dry situations, you will not even need to give them supplemental water.
Pests and Diseases
Crown rot will occur in wet soils. Some varieties can get Endophyllum rust, a fungus disease. Both problems can be prevented if grown in dry conditions.
Source: about.com
Links
- Back to genus Sempervivum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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