The succulent plant has been a popular variety for quite a while now and this doesn’t seem to be changing. Succulent plants come in a wide array of shapes, sizes and colours and are quite a low maintenance species of plant, making them attractive to many. Succulents are a collection of plants that use their thick and fleshy leaves to store water, which means they are able to generally thrive in hot and dry climates. The word succulent originates from the Latin word ‘Sucus’, which means sap or juice.
Hen and Chicks
Also known as Houseleeks, Hen and Chicks Succulents grow in the region starting from Southern Europe, down to Northern Africa. These succulents are usually members of the genus Sempervirum.
These quirky plants are very small, tending to grow in a rosette shape. They earn their name because an ‘origin’ plant, or the ‘hen’, will produce much smaller offspring nearby it, known as ‘chicks’. The exact shape and colour of a Hen and Chicks’ leaves depends on its species, but they invariably grow in a formation which shows a cluster of small leaves around the centre of the plant, giving way to a set of larger, more spread-out leaves.
Hen and Chicks like ample sun and don’t burn as easily as plants with thinner leaves. A standard soil specifically for succulents is fine for these plants as long as it is rocky and well-draining. Hen and Chicks should not be watered too much or too often, lest their leaves rot – once a week is a standard recommendation.
Plant Care
Drought tolerant
Sandy, well-drained succulent or cactus mix
Although safe, we don’t advise your pets pick this plant for a quick snack