Succulent Plants for the Home at Top 10 Hens-and-Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum or Echeveria elegans)

Hens-and-Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum or Echeveria elegans)

Two succulent plants share the common name of hens-and-chicks. They're closely related but look different. Both produce "chicks" -- small, identical plants that are slightly offset from the mother (the hen).
Echeveria elegans forms flat, flowerlike rosettes with rounded edges. Sempervivum tectorum also forms in rosettes, but each leaf tends to be flatter and more pointed. The flowering patterns are different. Echeveria grows arching, smooth, bell-shape blooms every year. Individual Sempervivum grows pink star-shape flowers on plants that die after flowering. Usually by this time the plant has produced so many offsets that the loss is not great. After all, the Latin translation of sempervivum means "ever living."

When grown as houseplants, the two perform the same way. Both should be allowed to dry slightly between waterings, as overwatering causes rotting. Water very little during winter dormancy.

Fertilize three times in summer with 10-10-10 balanced fertilizer. Propagate by removing offsets and potting them. Although they look tough, they can easily be scarred if water touches the foliage or if bumped.

Succulent Tip: Hens-and-chicks work well in succulent wreaths.