Hen-and-Chickens (Mexican-Gem)
Echeveria elegans and Sempervivum tectorum. CRASSULACEAE.
Echeveria elegans
Sempervivum tectorum
Planting and Growing Hen-and-Chickens
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow both popular species of hen-and-chickens in the accompanying pair of tables:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of hen-and-chickens
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for hen-and-chickens
- Season of bloom and planting time for hen-and-chickens
- When, how deep, and where to plant hen-and-chickens
- How to plant hen-and-chickens
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of hen-and-chickens
- Landscape and container uses of hen-and-chickens
- Comments about hen-and-chickens and its features
Growing Hen-and-Chickens
Two distantly related plants are popularly cultivated under the common name of hen-and-chickens : Echeveria elegans and Sempervivum tectorum. Consult the species tables below for full planting and care information for each plant.
Echeveria elegans. Many cultivars of slow-growing, flat and compact, succulent perennial herbs, to 3 in. (75 mm) high and 4 in. (10 cm) wide, with thick, short, strawberry-like, basal runners bearing miniature plants. Smooth, silver gray to green and red-tinged, fleshy, brittle, petal-like, pointed leaves, 1-1/2–2-1/2-in. (38–63-mm) long, in rosettes.
Sempervivum tectorum. Many cultivars of low, mounding, hairy, succulent, evergreen perennial herbs, to 1 ft. (30 cm) tall, in clusters to 2 ft. (60 cm) wide. Fleshy, smooth, gray green, red-tipped, pointed, curving leaves, 2–4 in. (50–100 mm) long, armed with sharp tip spines, forming a circular, radiating base.
Planting and Care of Echeveria elegans
Blooms
Many showy, pink, yellow, bell-shaped, nodding flowers, to 1/2-in. (12-mm) long, in clusters on medium spikes, in spring–summer.
Best Climates
Tender. Zones 7–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Damp to dry, well-drained, sandy soil. Fertility: Average. 6.5–8.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full sun, 6–8 in. (15–20 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Water only after soil completely dries; avoid wetting foliage. Fertilize monthly during growth; dilute liquid fertilizer to half its recommended rate. Propagate by offsets.
About This Plant
Good choice for borders, containers, edgings in natural, rock, seaside gardens. Pest resistant. Fungal disease susceptible.
Planting and Care of Sempervivum tectorum
Blooms
Many red, purple flowers, 1–1‑1/2‑in. (25–38‑mm) wide, in branching clusters on fibrous, wiry stems, to 2 ft. (60 cm) tall, in summer.
Best Climates
Semi-hardy. Zones 5–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained, sandy soil. Fertility: Low. 6.5–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring or autumn in full sun, 6–9 in. (15–23 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep damp; allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Drought tolerant. Avoid fertilizing. Propagate by cuttings, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for borders, containers, ground covers in rock, seaside, Xeriscape gardens. Fungal disease susceptible.
Warning:
Sap of Sempervivum tectorum causes skin and eye irritation for sensitive individuals. Wear gloves and eye protection when cutting or pruning.