Sempervivum (L.) - Hen and Chicks, Houseleek

Sempervivums or Hen and Chicks are a genus of approximately 40 species of hardy succulent plants from the family Crassulaceae. Sempervivum species are commonly known as House Leeks, Hen and Chicks, Old Man and Women and the Roof House Leek.

Sempervivum species are distributed on stony areas in the alpine, subalpine and montain areas (usually between 3000 and 8000 feet above sea-level) in Morocco, Iran, Turkey Armenian Mountains, the Caucasus, the Alps, Balkan Mountains and the Carpathians.

The genus name, Sempervivum, is derived from Latin, semper meaning "always" and vivum mean, "living". Combined, Sempervivum, means "always alive" they were so named for their ability to survive difficult growing conditions as well as retaining their green leaves throughout the year.

Morphologically the genus Sempervivum is closely related to other genera; Aeonium, Aichryson, Jovibarba and Monanthes. These species are found in Macronesia and unlike Sempervivum species, which are frost resistant, these genera will not tolerate frost.

Houseleeks reproduce sexually (flowers) or via lateral offsets from their rosettes, hence one of their common name, Hen and chicks.

Sempervivum Flowers:

House Leeks (Sempervivum) need to grow for several years before they are able to flower. The flowers are actinomorphous, shaped like a star, with between 8-16 petals. Flowers are usually pink or red in colour seldom white. Sempervivum species are monocarpic, which means that the plant dies after flowering.

Plant Description:

The genus Sempervivum, in general is relatively quite an easy genus to identify, the trouble arises when one tries and identifies individual species. The same species, even clones from a single plant, can be troublesome to identify, as they will most probably look different under various growing conditions.

Hen and chicks are considered not to be in a stable phase of their evolution, therefore each species is quite closely related to one another. Due to this many subspecies, forms and varieties have been described without any real significant differences between them. There are many naturally occurring hybrids in the genus due to this evolutionary phase.

Seed Collection:

After successful pollination the seeds will ripen in pods, once the pods have dried you can remove them from the plant, break open the pods and collect the seeds.

Folk Uses:

Sempervivum tectorum, which can often be found growing on old walls and roofs, is thought to afford a house protection from lightning.

Culinary Uses:

The young leaves and shoots can be eaten raw, usually in a salad.

Juice from the leaves can be used as a refreshing drink.

Medicinal Uses:

Houseleeks leaves and juice are applied externally (usually as a poultice, they are used to soothe many skin conditions & diseases, burns, bites, stings, etc. Houseleeks have astringent & cooling properties that simultaneously tightens and softens the skin. It has also been used to get rid of warts and corns.

Houseleeks have been used internally to treat shingles, hemorrhoids, skin complaints. It is advised not to use it excessively as the plant is emetic and purgative.

Fresh leaves are astringent, diuretic, odontalgic, refrigerant and vulnerary.

Growing Sempervivums

Houseleeks make an attractive addition to the garden. They can be grown in beds, rockeries, trays and troughs any place that affords a little soil. They can even be grown on roofs and in cracks on dry stone walls.

Temperature:

Most Sempervivum species can tolerate cold and wet winters, such as that of the UK and of Central and Southern Europe, it is advised to protect your more delicate Hen and Chickens, the hairy or hirsute species, against cold weather.

An easy way to protect your Hen and Chicken is to cut a transparent 2 liter plastic colddrink bottle in half and place it over the plants. If your plants are too big you can suspend a pane of glass over the plants.

Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum) should be protected against extreme heat, especially during the summer months.

Light:

Houseleeks prefer full sun and will grow well if placed in a sunny spot.

Soil:

Sempervivums prefer a gritty soil that is well drained.

Watering & Fertilizing:

Allow the soil to dry out between watering, usually every 7-10 days. When watering allow the water to flow out of the bottom of the pot, this will help prevent salt build-up in the pot which will eventually effect the plants growth.

Fertilize hen and chicks once a month with a well balanced fertilizer, such as 2:3:2.

Propagation:

By Seed: Seeds should be sown in early spring in a cold frame. Sow seeds on the surface of the soil, a fine layer +- 1-2mm of fine grit can be spread over the seeds. When the seedlings are big enough they can be planted into their own pots, they should be grown in the greenhouse for their first winter, after which they can be planted out to their permanent positions in the garden.

By Offset: Offsets can be removed in spring to early summer. Large offsets can be placed in their permanent positions. Smaller offsets should be grown in the greenhouse until they are big enough to be planted out.

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