Jovibarba globifera (syn. Sempervivum globiferum) showing larger mother plants ("hens") and smaller, globe-shaped offsets ("chicks", "globi"). See " Offset " for other uses of the term gives rise to tuft of buds at node called offste and adventitious roots below

Sempervivum tectorum (Common Houseleek)

Hen and chicks (also known as Hen-and-chickens) is a common name for a group of small succulents belonging to the flowering plant family Crassulaceae, native to Europe and northern Africa. Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat plants, are Water -retaining Plants adapted to Arid climate or Soil conditions The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group The Crassulaceae, or orpine family, is a family of Dicotyledons They store water in their Succulent leaves They grow close to the ground with leaves formed around each other in a rosette, and propagating by offsets. See " Offset " for other uses of the term gives rise to tuft of buds at node called offste and adventitious roots below The 'hen' is the main plant, and the 'chicks' are the offspring, which start as tiny buds on the main plant and soon sprout their own roots, taking up residence close to the mother plant.

Plants commonly referred to as "Hens and chicks" include ground hugging species of Sempervivum (Houseleeks) such as Sempervivum Pekinese, Sempervivum arachnoideum (Cobweb Houseleek), and Sempervivum tectorum (Common Houseleek); the related genus Jovibarba. Houseleeks or Liveforever ( Sempervivum) are a Genus of about 40 Species of Succulent plants of the Crassulaceae family Houseleeks or Liveforever ( Sempervivum) are a Genus of about 40 Species of Succulent plants of the Crassulaceae family Sempervivum arachnoideum, sometimes known as cobweb houseleek, is a perennial plant of the genus Sempervivum. Sempervivum tectorum ( Common Houseleek) is a perennial plant of the genus Sempervivum. Jovibarba ("beard of Jove " is a small Genus of three species of Succulents in the family Crassulaceae, endemic The name is also used for some species of Echeveria, Sedum and Bergenia although these plants differ significantly from, and should not be confused with, Sempervivum and Jovibarba. Echeveria is a large Genus of Succulents in the Crassulaceae family native from Mexico to northwestern South America Sedum is the large stonecrop Genus of the Crassulaceae, representing about 400 species of leaf succulents found throughout the northern hemisphere Bergenia is a Genus of ten species of Flowering plants in the family Saxifragaceae, native to central Asia, from Afghanistan Houseleeks or Liveforever ( Sempervivum) are a Genus of about 40 Species of Succulent plants of the Crassulaceae family Jovibarba ("beard of Jove " is a small Genus of three species of Succulents in the family Crassulaceae, endemic The description below provides characteristics of Sempervivum and Jovibarba only. Houseleeks or Liveforever ( Sempervivum) are a Genus of about 40 Species of Succulent plants of the Crassulaceae family Jovibarba ("beard of Jove " is a small Genus of three species of Succulents in the family Crassulaceae, endemic

Aside from the common morphology, the many species of hen and chicks differ widely in appearance. Colours range from lime green to burgundy to purple, and size varies from as small as 1 cm to as large as 20 cm across. The leaves can be thin and spiky or thick and rounded with a pointed tip. Some, such as Cobweb Houseleek, have fine spiderweb-like filaments that grow naturally from leaf edge to leaf edge, forming a white cover on the top of the plant, while others have fine hairs that cover the entire plant structure.

Upon maturity (usually around 3 to 4 years old) the plant will send up a single stalk that can reach 5-15 cm tall. The head of the stalk is a cluster of star-shaped flower buds 1-2 cm in diameter, which range in color from dark pink to yellow and that flower for several weeks. After blooming, the plant will die. Usually by this time it has produced many offsets ('chicks').

Hen and chicks are popular in gardens for their varied and interesting appearance and hardiness. They are grown as container planting or rock gardens. They do best in well-drained, rocky soil; if they stay wet, the outer leaves will rot. Although they do best in sun, they will grow in light shade.

Two hen and chicks

A hen and chicks closeup

Multiple Hens and Chicks alongside Sedum

External links

• mostly in German