By Tom Knight

Author  Bio Hens & Chicks, Old Man & Woman, Houseleeks; a plant by any other name would be just as carefree.

Plant Common Name	Hens & Chicks, Old Man & Woman, Houseleeks
Plant Species	Sempervivum tectorum
Plant Type	Herbaceous - Perennial
Plant Height & Spread	Normal Size Height:   3 to 4 inches Spread:  10 to 12 inches after 10 years or more from a single plant Controlled Size Height:   N/A Spread:  N/A
Plant Positive Points	Carefree plant that can survive the driest of conditions such as poor rocky soil.
Plant Negative Points	None serious
Plant Sun/Shade	Full sun
Plant USDA Hardiness Zone	zone3, zone4, zone5, zone6, zone7, zone8
Plant USDA Hardiness Text
Plant Use on Railroad	Great non-aggressive carefree groundcover.
Plant Misc Notes

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Comment

Hi Tom, I always loved this item when I lived in the north, and for the most part I thought they would NOT make it in the sunny south, however, I have found a strain (sorry don't know the official name)that one lady gardener cultivated here to be grown in hanging baskets, and they are doing very well. Like most succulents, they don't like wet feet, so less watering or letting them dry out occasionally is better than over-watering. Elaine

Elaine Haggenbottom - 06/03/2011 - 10:09

H & C

Hens etc. are a garden favorite herein the north.. I am sure there are many varieties that would grow in MOST places- maybe requiring shade in hot climates but they over-winter up here just fine . In fact I had an old sneaker that we had used as a sample of container gardening ..... it made it thru the winter in THAT- sitting out all winter . So it is one of the most hardy - tolerant of abuse plants I know of .

Carl Kokes - 06/03/2011 - 17:01

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