Sempervium passionata, also known as the “hens and chicks” succulent, are no fuss plants that make a great addition to any garden. Found in mountainous regions with nutrient-poor soil, hens and chicks thrive on neglect and grow well indoors. Learn more about hens and chicks plant care indoors:
For this succulent, the large parent rosette is the “hen” and the little offsets at the base are the “chicks”. It has thin, slender leaves and a beautiful rosette shape. The hens and chicks plant can easily grow indoors and will make a great addition to any home garden.
Sempervium leaf color can range from green, yellow, to dark red, depending on the amount of sunlight received. They propagate easily, and they are tolerant of all kinds of problems (improper watering, temperature changes, low light) that would kill other succulents.
These are tips and tricks specific for hens and chicks plant care. For a general guide to taking care of all succulents, click here.
| Name | Sempervium passionata Hens and Chicks |
| Sunlight | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water | Once a week during the summer Once every 3 to 4 weeks in the winter |
| Soil | Well-draining, porous soil |
| Temperature | Warm and dry. Cold hardy |
| Dormancy | Winter dormant |
| Propagation | Offsets |
| Toxicity | Not toxic |
Hens and Chicks Plant Care Indoors and Out:
Sunlight
Hens and chicks grow best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. South-facing windows are best for hens and chicks plants because they provide bright light, which encourages growth. Make sure you rotate the plant every few days so each side receives equal sunlight and grows evenly.
Optimal coloration in the foliage is more likely to be achieved in full sun.
If you notice that the leaves of your Sempervium are stretching out, or that the rosette is not as compact as it used to be, your succulent is not receiving enough light. Slowly transition your hens and chicks plant to an area with more sun, over a few days (to avoid sunburning the leaves).
Hens and chicks watering needs
Hens and chicks should be watered sparingly, similarly to other succulents. While hens and chicks are less susceptible to overwatering than other succulents, you still want to water them with care.
Check that the top inch of soil is completely dried out by sticking your finger in: if it feels dry, you can water. Otherwise, wait a few more days. When watering, the hens and chicks’ soil should be soaked enough that you see water begin to seep out of the drainage hole (if your pot has one). If there is extra water in the saucer, dump it out- do not leave the pot sitting in water.
You should pour the water on the soil at the base of the plant. Allow the soil to dry out completely in between waterings. Remember, as with other succulents: infrequent soakings are key!
Do not get water directly on the leaves of the plant or inside the rosette, because that could cause rot. If you do get some water on the leaves, wipe it off with a tissue.
Sempervium will require more frequent watering during the summer months (once every 1 to 2 weeks) compared to the winter months (once every 3 to 4 weeks).
Potting
In their native habitat, hens and chicks are often found growing in between rocks and in crevices where the soil is gritty and often nutrient poor.
For hens and chicks plant care indoors, a fast-draining, porous soil mix with a neutral pH (7.0) is needed. You can grow your hens and chicks plant in a 70:30 mix of succulent potting soil to perlite.
Hens and chicks can grow to 4 inches tall. The mother “hen” usually dies after 4 to 6 years, and should then be removed.
Sempervium have shallow root systems, which means they can be grown in very small or shallow containers.
Fertilizing hens and chicks plants
Hens and chicks do not need to be fertilized. They thrive even in nutrient poor soils.
Hens and chicks propagation
One of my favorite parts about hens and chicks is how many offsets they are able to produce. Hens and chicks multiply quite easily on their own, without any help from you! Usually, each growing season will produce about 4 chicks.
How do you separate hens and chicks?
Separating the offset chicks from the hen plant is easy. With a pair of clean garden shears, cut the stem connecting the two plants and wiggle them apart. Move the chick plant to a new pot with well-draining potting soil. Water it a week after planting to give it time to settle in, and water weekly after that. Provide the offset with bright, indirect light.
Growing hens and chicks from seed
You can grow hens and chicks from seeds as well. Sprinkle the seeds on top of a well-draining soil mix. Provide light, keep the soil moist (but not wet), and keep the container in a warm environment. It takes about a month for the seeds to sprout. After germination, sprinkle fine gravel and mulch on top. Put the pot in a sunny window, and transplant the new growths when they are about 1 inch wide.
Temperature and humidity
Sempervium passionata are extremely cold tolerant and can survive temperatures as low as – 30° F (- 34 °C). They do best in temperatures of 65° to 75 °F (18 °C to 24 °C).
Hens and chicks actively grow during the summer and spring months. During the winter, your succulent can become dormant and stop growing. Do not be alarmed- this is just a normal part of their growing cycle and nothing has to be done. During dormant periods, water sparingly about once a month).
Flowering
Sempervium produce a beautiful bloom when mature. Unfortunately, they are monocarpic, which means they die once they have flowered. When the rosette dies, pull it out.
Stress or overcrowding can lead to early blooming.
Hens and chicks toxicity
Hens and chicks are not toxic.
Common hens and chicks plant care problems:
Mushy, brownish stems or yellow, translucent leaves due to rot
If you notice the bottom leaves or stems of your hens and chicks plant are turning mushy, you have overwatered it and your plant is suffering from root rot. This is a common problem and can be difficult to fix. Allow the soil to dry out and decrease how often you water your plant. If the damage is extensive, you may have to cut away the healthy parts of the plant and focus on growing those. To learn more about how to fix root rot in detail, check this guide.
If you notice signs of rotting in the mother plant, try to separate the chicks and plant them in a separate pot to prevent the rot from spreading.
Mealy bugs
If you notice tiny white, fuzzy bugs crawling around, or white substance growing on the surface of your plants, you have a mealy bug infestation.
When you see mealy bugs, immediately quarantine your plant away from the others. Check all of your other plants for signs of the pest because mealy bugs spread quickly, and other plants may be infected as well. Pay special attention to the nooks and crannies of your plants- mealy bugs love those areas. Quarantine any infected plants.
For the plants with signs of infestation, take a q-tip, soak it in rubbing alcohol and dab it at any bugs you see. This will kill them instantly. Also water the soil with rubbing alcohol to kill any eggs they may have left behind. This does not harm your plant and helps get rid of any eggs in the soil. You will have to repeat this every other day for several days because mealy bugs are quite pesky.
Many dried out and crispy-looking leaves
If your Sempervium receives too much sunlight (this is more common if it is planted outdoors in areas that receive a lot of harsh sun), it can get sunburned. If you notice that a lot of leaves on your Sempervium are brown, dried up, and “crispy”-looking, it has received too much sun. Move the hens and chicks somewhere with less sun to prevent the new growth from becoming sunburned as well.
Unfortunately, once burned, the leaf cannot go back to it’s original color, so the goal is to avoid sunburning the plant altogether. You can do this by gradually easing your Sempervium to an area with more sun over the course of a week. Immediately transitioning your plant from a shady area to the sun will cause sunburn.
A few dried leaves at the bottom
Succulents grow from their centers by absorbing nutrients from the bottom leaves. A few dried leaves on the bottom is completely normal. You do not have to pull them off; they will fall off automatically when they are ready. This process allows your Sempervium plant to grow brand new leaves from the top.
In summary for hens and chicks plant care indoors…
Hens and chicks thrive in even in neglectful conditions and are the perfect plants for busy people who may not have time to attend to them every day. They are especially great for beginners getting used to succulent growing.
Hens and chicks plant care indoors is relatively easy once you know their needs and common problems to look out for. Their beautiful rosette shape and bright colors will make them stand out in your house.
Do you own a Sempervium? Have any questions I did not answer? Let me know below!
Learn more about general succulent care here:
