Low-maintenance plants that look gorgeous without demanding all your free time are basically the holy grail for us home gardeners. That’s exactly why Hens and Chicks (*Sempervivum*) are such a fan favorite! If you’re looking to expand your collection and add more of these hardy beauties to your yard, you’ve got two main options: using offsets or starting from seed.
Propagating with Offsets (The Easy Way)
Technically speaking, using offsets is the simplest way to get more Hens and Chicks. These are the little “chicks” (daughter rosettes) that sprout up around the central “hen” (the main plant) over time. Here’s how you do it:
- Pick out one or more healthy-looking daughter rosettes.
- Gently pull the rosettes apart to separate them from the main cluster.
- Make sure their new home has nutrient-poor, very well-draining soil.
- If you’re unsure about your soil, go with a specialized succulent or cactus mix.
- Double-check that you have excellent drainage so they don’t get “wet feet.”
- Tuck the rosettes into the soil and give them just a *tiny* bit of water to get them started.
Growing from Seed
If you’re up for a little more of a project, you can grow them from seed—either store-bought or harvested from your own garden. Here’s the game plan:
- Fill your starter pots with a low-nutrient substrate (like cactus or succulent soil).
- Pro-tip: You can also just mix regular potting soil with a good amount of sand.
- Sprinkle the seeds over the top of the pots.
Timing is everything here! You’ll want to sow these in January or February because Hens and Chicks are “cold germinators,” meaning they need a chilly period to wake up. They should start sprouting by early spring, and the best part? They don’t really need any special pampering during this phase.
How to Harvest Your Own Seeds
If you already have Hens and Chicks in your garden and want to collect your own seeds, patience is key. After the main rosette blooms, don’t be tempted to trim off the flower stalk! Wait for the seeds to fully ripen on the plant. Once they’re ready, collect them and store them in a cool, dry spot until you’re ready to plant them next January.
