Sempervivum Species, Hens and Chicks, House Leek, Live-Forever

Sempervivumtectorum

Family
Crassulaceae (krass-yoo-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Sempervivum (sem-per-VEE-vum)
Species
tectorum (tek-TOR-um)
Synonym
Sempervivum alpinum
Sempervivum andreanum
Sempervivum arvernense
Sempervivum boutignyanum
Sempervivum cantalicum
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
Spacing
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Pink
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Bronze
Blue-Green
Chartreuse/Yellow
Burgundy/Maroon
Orange/Apricot
Pink/Rose
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From leaf cuttings
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Lincoln, (258 reports)

Greensboro, Alabama

Jones, Alabama

Midland City, Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Seward, Alaska

Flagstaff, Arizona

Brentwood, California

Clovis, California

Paradise, California

Perris, California

Sonora, California

Susanville, California

Thousand Oaks, California

Tracy, California

Denver, Colorado(2 reports)

Grand Junction, Colorado

Southington, Connecticut

Ellendale, Delaware

Bartow, Florida

Brandon, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

Palm Coast, Florida

Port Saint Lucie, Florida

West Palm Beach, Florida

Monroe, Georgia

Sandpoint, Idaho

Canton, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Cobden, Illinois

Hanover Park, Illinois

Jacksonville, Illinois

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Terre Haute, Indiana

Middle Amana, Iowa

Wellington, Kansas

Wichita, Kansas

Hi Hat, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky(2 reports)

Mc Dowell, Kentucky

Taylorsville, Kentucky

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Monroe, Louisiana

Millinocket, Maine

Cumberland, Maryland

Glen Burnie, Maryland

Worton, Maryland

Beverly, Massachusetts

Hinsdale, Massachusetts

Gladstone, Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Mason, Michigan

Mio, Michigan

Pinconning, Michigan

Saint Clair Shores, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Sullivan, Missouri

Wolf Point, Montana

Scribner, Nebraska

Manchester, New Hampshire

Montclair, New Jersey

Neptune, New Jersey

Villas, New Jersey

Corrales, New Mexico

Endicott, New York

Pine Bush, New York

Beaufort, North Carolina

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Sanford, North Carolina

Belfield, North Dakota

Bucyrus, Ohio

Canton, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio

South Bloomingville, Ohio

Zanesville, Ohio

Wetumka, Oklahoma

Baker City, Oregon

Cave Junction, Oregon

Gold Hill, Oregon

Hillsboro, Oregon

Klamath Falls, Oregon

Oregon City, Oregon

Clairton, Pennsylvania

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Milford, Pennsylvania

Washington, Pennsylvania

Watsontown, Pennsylvania

Warwick, Rhode Island

Clarksville, Tennessee

Pocahontas, Tennessee

Georgetown, Texas

Katy, Texas

Kempner, Texas

Mesquite, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Sherman, Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

Winnsboro, Texas

Ogden, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

South Jordan, Utah

Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Lexington, Virginia

Newport News, Virginia

Kalama, Washington

Seattle, Washington

South Hill, Washington

Spokane, Washington(2 reports)

Beverly, West Virginia

Madison, Wisconsin

Sheridan, Wyoming

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

26
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
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N
Monroe, LA (Zone 8b) | June 2019 | positive

I have several varieties of Sempervivum growing in a wide, shallow resin pot on my south-facing front stoop that’s partially protected ...Read More

R
Greensboro, AL | July 2016 | positive

I inherited these plants when I lived in Grangeville ID, early 1990's. Love them. Now I raise them in Greensboro AL, 2009 and present. ...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | July 2016 | positive

There are many species of sempervivum, and many cultivars and hybrids. They vary in foliage color, in size, and in leaf shape, but with f...Read More

M
Palm Coast, FL | July 2016 | neutral

I live in Florida. I am not sure how to plant these in full sun and at the same time prevent them from receiving the daily watering from ...Read More

A
Susanville, CA | December 2010 | positive

good plant for almost any area.. its a variety thats not often found at garden centers (people would rather see the new more colorful one...Read More

M
M
Francis Creek, WI | October 2009 | positive

Can I put hens&chicks in my tree frog tank???

Thank you. Maryxo

D
Magna, UT | December 2007 | positive

The plants that I have inside are beginning to grow roots. Even though it's only winter, they are still growing. The ones outside are huge!

Z
Z
Wakefield, OH | February 2007 | positive

I got this plant for a birthday gift,
i've never had one before, but my grandma and two of my aunts
had a whole window box ...Read More

B
Clinton, AR (Zone 7a) | January 2007 | positive

MY HEN AND CHICKS ARE GROWING GREAT IN A STRAWBERRY JAR. THE 'HENS' WILL GET VERY LARGE IF THE CHICKS ARE PULLED OFF AND PLANTED ELSEWHE...Read More

L
Jeffersonville, IN (Zone 6a) | October 2006 | positive

Hens and Chicks are just the cutest, easiest little plants you ever could find. I have mine growing in pockets of soil in rock piles. The...Read More

J
J
Stratford, CT (Zone 6b) | August 2006 | positive

This is a small, easy to grow attractive plant suitable for small spaces. It takes over whatever small space you leave for it and blooms...Read More

B
Provincetown, MA | June 2006 | positive

I dug some of these up from an ancient graveyard next to our yard; they were decorating the tomb of a sailor who died at sea in the 19th ...Read More

E
Idaho Falls, ID (Zone 5a) | February 2006 | neutral

Hens and Chicks seems to need very little excuse to thrive. It spreads like wildfire, isn't picky about soil, moisture or light conditio...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | January 2006 | positive

I tried these years ago, and killed them with love. I saw them elsewhere in the poorest of soils and as crowded as could be, and decided...Read More

S
Brockton, MA (Zone 6a) | October 2005 | positive

This was the very first plant I tried to grow outdoors. 50+ years later I'm still growing them, all from that first clump.
I have...Read More

K
Alden, NY (Zone 5b) | August 2005 | positive

This plant overwinters well in Western New York. I have them in a flower garden and the winter snow does not seem to kill it. I also gr...Read More

G
Hampton, IL (Zone 5a) | May 2005 | positive

This is a fun plant to grow. It's so prolific and easy, anyone can do it. It's great to share the "chicks" with friends too.

D
Lancaster, PA | October 2004 | positive

The tips of the leaves turn a deep reddish-brown color in the summer.

P
Kalamazoo, MI | July 2004 | positive

I have been using purple in color Hens and Chicks.I use them as ground cover around my ferns and other partial shade and full sun areas.M...Read More

S
Worton, MD | July 2004 | positive

This is a very easy plant to grow. My grandmother gave me a pot of them a few years ago and now I have 6. I've given away two pots to fri...Read More

G
| July 2003 | positive

I have two hens and chicks planted between two rocks, in soil that is barky and drains well. They get mid morning to early afternoon sun...Read More

L
| July 2003 | positive

I have been growing hen and chicks for years up here in North Central British Columbia and just love them.They are real easy to grow and ...Read More

O
Salem, OR | June 2003 | positive

These easy-to-grown plants fill in any space that needs filling.....between rocks, under bushes, in the sun, in the shade, just about an...Read More

J
La Salle, IL | April 2003 | positive

This plant I got from my grandmother which was her favorite. When she passed-away, all of her 23 grandchildren took home about 100 hen &...Read More

G
| April 2003 | positive

I agree with all said prior. I'm in southern Maine and have found that these carefree plants take root in rotting wood and seem to multi...Read More

D
Sandpoint, ID | April 2003 | positive

I just wanted to say that growing one type, Jovibarba, is VERY easy from seed! I had a very good percentage germinate, and they went from...Read More

L
L
| April 2003 | positive

Our Garden is full of Rocks! Big Rocks that were gathered from the Similkameen River and a nearby Creek. They edge all of the gardens and...Read More

S
| June 2002 | positive

This is one of the most durable and rewarding plants to grow. It produces between 4-12 'chicks' a year so your collection is constantly g...Read More

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