Does the Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum) Flower? Detailed Guide to Growing It and Points to Note

Many people like growing Sempervivum (hen and chicks) because its shape is very unique, and placing it on a table or balcony makes for a very beautiful “picture”. So does the hen and chicks flower? Attached growing methods and points to note.

1. Does the hen and chicks flower?

Although the hen and chicks is very common, its flowering seems to be very rare in China. In fact, the hen and chicks flowers very magnificently, and like other succulents in the genus Sempervivum, the hen and chicks also dies after flowering; it flowers with its life, and it is not hard to understand why the flowers it produces are so stunning.

2. Growing methods and points to note for the hen and chicks

1. Soil conditions

The hen and chicks has low soil requirements, but fertile, loose sandy loam is suitable. You can use leaf mold, coarse sand and vermiculite mixed in a 2:1:1 ratio, and add a small amount of plant ash and bone meal as a base fertilizer.

2. Temperature requirements

The hen and chicks likes cool conditions and is relatively cold-tolerant. Spring and autumn are the main growing seasons, while summer and winter are mainly its dormant periods. During high summer temperatures, the plant is prone to rot from stuffiness and humidity, so it should be shaded appropriately, ventilation improved, cooling measures taken, and the potting soil kept moderately dry. In winter, when the temperature is above 15°C during the day and above 5°C at night, the hen and chicks can still continue to grow and can be cared for normally; at lower temperatures, if watering is controlled, it can also tolerate a low temperature of 2°C.

Below 20°C it enters a dormant state, and the overwintering temperature is generally above 15°C; below 10°C the leaves will suffer cold damage and even wither, so in winter it should be grown indoors.

3. Watering method

The hen and chicks likes moisture and dislikes waterlogging. Watering should follow “do not water until dry, and water thoroughly when you do”. Growing the hen and chicks requires keeping the soil moist at all times; drought will make the plant grow slowly, with dull leaf color and a lack of vitality, so it should be watered frequently. At the same time, however, be careful to prevent excess water from causing waterlogging in the pot, which can cause the tuberous roots to rot, so the drainage function of the growing medium needs to be enhanced. To prevent waterlogging, consider placing a layer of coarse sand at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer when potting, so that excess water drains out as quickly as possible. During hot, dry conditions, spray water on the surrounding environment and leaf surfaces to increase humidity, which can make it grow more vigorously. In winter, watering should be reduced.

The potting soil for the hen and chicks should be on the dry side, and water should not be excessive, to prevent root rot. Indoor cultivation should keep it warm and humid; at a room temperature above 18°C, the plant can grow normally, and the plant should be misted frequently to keep the environment humid and promote growth.

During the peak growing seasons of spring and summer, maintain relatively high air humidity; besides normal watering, you can spray water into the air around the plant and onto the ground. In air-conditioned rooms the air is relatively dry, so it is not suitable for long-term display. When the potting soil is dry, the leaves tend to become soft and droop.

4. Fertilizing method

During the spring and autumn growing seasons, the hen and chicks can be given 1 application of decomposed dilute liquid fertilizer or a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer about every 10 days. Fertilizer water should be dilute rather than concentrated; too much can easily cause fertilizer burn. The nitrogen content in compound fertilizer should not be too high, as too much can easily make the plant grow leggy.

During the vigorous growth period of the hen and chicks, depending on its growth, apply 1 to 2 times a month of dilute liquid fertilizer, and additionally apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, to help the stems stand upright and grow robustly, and also to help the underground tubers grow plump and resist cold for overwintering. Spray foliar fertilizer once every half month, and add organic fertilizer or a compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium once every 1 to 2 months; more nitrogen fertilizer can promote a more attractive leaf color. When fertilizing the hen and chicks, use a fine-spout watering can to pour slowly along the rim of the pot, and do not splash the fertilizer liquid onto the leaves, otherwise the leaves can easily be burned.