Sempervivum Tectorum "Hens And Chicks" 15cmPot

Botanical Name: Sempervivum tectorum
Common Names: Houseleek, Common Houseleek, Hens and Chicks, Roof Houseleek

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📌 Product Description

Sempervivum tectorum, commonly known as Houseleek or Hens and Chicks, is a hardy, low-growing succulent valued for its tight rosettes of fleshy leaves that multiply freely to form attractive clusters.

Its colours range from fresh green to deep red-tipped tones, intensifying in cooler weather. Mature plants may produce a tall flowering stalk in summer with star-shaped pink blooms. After flowering, the main rosette dies back, but surrounding offsets (“chicks”) continue growing — ensuring continuous coverage.

Extremely cold-hardy and drought-tolerant, this resilient succulent is ideal for rockeries, container gardens, and water-wise landscapes in cooler South African regions.

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📏 Size When Fully Grown

Height: 5 – 15 cm (flower spike up to 30 cm)
Spread: 20 – 45 cm (spreads through offsets)
Growth Habit: Low-growing, clump-forming succulent
Growth Rate: Moderate

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🌱 Best Growing Conditions

Light: Full sun for best colour and compact growth
Soil: Very well-draining sandy or gritty soil
Water:

• Water moderately during active growth
• Allow soil to dry between watering
• Very drought-tolerant once established

Feeding: Minimal feeding required; light compost in spring if needed

Maintenance:

• Remove dead flowering rosettes
• Thin out overcrowded offsets if necessary
• Ensure excellent drainage to prevent rot

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🌦️ Planting & Growing Season (South Africa)

Best Planting Time: Autumn or spring
Flowering Season: Summer
Growing Season: Spring and autumn (slows during extreme heat)
Climate Suitability: Ideal for cooler temperate and high-altitude regions
Frost Tolerance: Highly frost-tolerant

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🌼 Additional Benefits

Extremely hardy and cold-tolerant
Forms dense groundcover over time
Low-maintenance
Excellent for rock gardens
Drought-resistant
Easy to propagate from offsets

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🌿 Ideal Uses

✔ Rock gardens
✔ Container planting
✔ Roof gardens
✔ Water-wise landscapes
✔ Alpine-style gardens
✔ Groundcover in sunny areas