Hen and chicks (Sempervivum morelianum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Hen and chicks on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 14 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Hen and chicks
Sempervivum morelianum, also known as Morel's Houseleek, is a perennial succulent from the Crassulaceae family, forming compact and attractive rosettes. Its fleshy leaves vary in color, from intense greens to reddish or purplish hues, especially under sun exposure. It is ideal for rockeries, green roofs, pots, or as ground cover in dry gardens.
Native range
Mountains of southern Mexico, specifically Oaxaca and Chiapas
Care tips
It requires full sun to develop its best coloration and compact form; insufficient light can cause the rosettes to stretch. Watering should be sparse, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings, especially in winter. Use a very well-draining, sandy, or specific substrate for cacti and succulents. Avoid excessive moisture, as it is the main cause of rosette rot, especially at the base.
How to save a dying Hen and chicks
- Warning signs
- Soft, yellowing, or blackened leaves at the base (overwatering). Dry, shriveled leaves (underwatering). Elongated, pale stem (lack of light).
- First aid
- For overwatering, remove plant, check roots, and repot in dry substrate. For underwatering, water lightly. For lack of light, move closer to a window.
- What kills it
- Overwatering is the number one enemy. Also, poor drainage and prolonged shade exposure.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes! They are very resilient. Act quickly at the first signs. If the center of the rosette is rotten, propagate healthy offsets.