Hen and chicks (Sempervivum globiferum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Hen and chicks on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 15 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Hen and chicks
Sempervivum globiferum, commonly known as "Rolling Hen-and-chicks," is a perennial succulent forming compact rosettes of fleshy, light green to grayish leaves, often tipped with red. It's distinctive for its small "chicks" (offsets) that readily detach and roll away, rooting elsewhere. This plant is ideal for rock gardens, green roofs, and containers, creating a dense, low-maintenance carpet.
Native range
Mountains of Central and Eastern Europe
Care tips
It requires full sun to develop its best color and compact form, although it tolerates some partial shade in very hot climates. Watering should be sporadic and thorough, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings to prevent rot. It prefers very well-drained, sandy or stony soils with low organic matter. A common mistake is overwatering, which can be fatal for this drought-tolerant species.