How to Grow and Propagate the Succulent Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum) for Fast Clumping

The Sempervivum, whose shape closely resembles Guanyin's lotus seat, is therefore also called Guanyin lotus. Sempervivum is a very common type of succulent, and many households like to grow it at home. So how should Sempervivum be cared for so that it clumps up? Let's go with the editor to learn about how to grow Sempervivum!

How to grow Sempervivum for fast clumping

1. Light. Sempervivum prefers a sunny, cool and dry environment. Except in summer, it needs full light in all other seasons; insufficient light will cause the plant shape to become loose and not compact.

2. Soil. Sempervivum is cold-tolerant and is best grown in soil that is rich in nutrients and has good drainage and aeration. The usual soil ratio is: 2 parts common leaf mold, 1 part coarse sand, and 1 part vermiculite, mixed together before use.

3. Watering. When watering, follow the principle of “don't water if not dry, water thoroughly when you do”, to avoid root rot caused by long-term waterlogging, but do not let it become overly dry either, otherwise the growth of the Sempervivum will slow down and the leaf color will become dull.

4. Fertilizing. Apply fertilizer about once every twenty days, using rotted dilute liquid fertilizer or a compound fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus and potassium. Fertilizing is generally done on a clear morning or evening; in the evening after fertilizing or early the next morning, water thoroughly to dilute the residual fertilizer liquid in the soil.

Propagation methods for the succulent Sempervivum

1. Propagation of Sempervivum by cuttings

This is done during the growing season of the Sempervivum and involves two situations.

If small rosettes have already grown under the large rosette of the Sempervivum, you can remove them; those with roots can be inserted directly into the pot, while those without roots should be coated with “carbendazim”, left to dry for a few days, and planted after the wound has dried. After planting, keep the pot slightly moist, and they will sprout in two to three weeks.

If no small rosettes have grown under the large rosette of the Sempervivum, you can lay a complete mature leaf flat on moist sandy soil, with the leaf surface facing up and the leaf back facing down, without covering it with soil, and place it directly in a cool place; in about 10 days new leaves and new roots will grow from the base of the leaf. At this point, bury the roots in the soil, give more sunlight, and water and fertilize appropriately.

2. Propagation of Sempervivum by sowing

After collecting the seeds, sow them in a cold frame in early spring. At a temperature of 10°C they usually take 2-6 weeks to germinate; at a temperature of 20°C they can germinate in about 10 days. Once the seedlings have grown, transplant them into flower pots.

The sowing method can produce a large number of seedlings at once, but growth is slower.

3. Propagation of Sempervivum by tissue culture

Using tissue culture to rapidly propagate Sempervivum requires simple materials, but the steps are rather complicated. It is generally used for factory-scale tissue culture; the success rate is high, and many variants will also be produced.

Precautions for caring for Sempervivum

1. Pay attention to temperature changes

The suitable temperature for the growth of Sempervivum is 20-30°C, and the overwintering temperature is 15°C. Always pay attention to changes in the temperature of the environment around the plant.

2. Keep the soil fertile

It is best to add plant ash and bone meal to the soil as a base fertilizer to keep the soil fertile. When fertilizing, be careful not to splash the fertilizer water onto the leaves.

3. Provide shade during high temperatures

During the high temperatures of summer, place the Sempervivum in a shaded place to avoid scorching sun exposure. When giving light in other seasons, change the direction of the pot every three or four days so that every side of the Sempervivum can receive sunlight. However, if the Sempervivum stays in a semi-shaded environment for a long time, the color of the leaf tips tends to fade, affecting its ornamental value.

The uses and value of Sempervivum

1. Ornamental. Sempervivum is also called Guanyin lotus, and its flesh lives up to its name: the leaves grow in a ring and combine into a rosette-like shape. The leaves are flat and slender; under sufficient light, the leaf tips and leaf margins develop a very brilliant purplish-red color, giving it great ornamental value.

2. Air purification. The succulent Sempervivum has a slight effect of absorbing toxic gases, making it very environmentally friendly to place indoors. The succulent Sempervivum also has a slight humidifying effect, purifying the air environment.

3. Medicinal value. Besides ornament and purification, Sempervivum also has relatively high medicinal and health value. Drinking Sempervivum as tea can refresh the mind, but pay attention to the dosage, as excessive use can cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. The extract of fresh leaves has cooling and astringent effects and can be used to relieve skin pain; added to bath water, it can nourish the skin. Sempervivum can also be used to treat throat ulcers, oral conditions, and bronchitis, and it also has effects on skin diseases such as burns, scalds, insect bites, corns, and shingles.

As described above, if the Sempervivum is well cared for, it can quickly clump up, so everyone should still pay attention to the planting and care techniques for Sempervivum! Unlike other succulents, Sempervivum is not only beautiful, cute and delicate and suitable for viewing, but also has certain medicinal and health benefits!