How to Get My Hen and Chicks to Reproduce Quickly

"Sempervivum tectorum," more commonly called "hen and chicks," is a popular succulent houseplant. There are many varieties of hen and chicks, with colors ranging from pale green to dark olive, burgundy, purple, pink and even gray. Leaves can be smooth, hairy, rounded or spiked, thick triangles or skinny points, but all varieties of hen and chicks share a rosette-shaped growth pattern like an artichoke and similar growing requirements. The name "hen and chicks" is derived from the way the "hen" plant surrounds herself with baby "chicks." The chicks start as tiny buds around the hen, and soon sprout roots of their own, forming a new plant. Repot the chicks or leave them in place to surround the hen with her brood.

Cactus potting soil
General fertilizer
Pot

Instructions

- 1
  Care for your "sempervivum tectorum" properly, and you will soon have new plants. Do not overwater the plant because the plant stores water in its leaves. Keep it in full sun and plant it in fast-draining potting mix, such as cactus soil. Feed the plant with a general fertilizer in the spring. Creating an ideal situation for your plant will encourage reproduction.
- 2
  Watch for the formation of small, "chick" plants around the "hen" plant. This is one way "sempervivum tectorum" reproduces. Some varieties produce chicks right next to the hen, forming a thick mat, whereas others produce chicks at the end of long stolons, or stems, which will form roots if they touch soil.
- 3
  Observe the stolon, or stem, connecting the chick to the hen. Once this begins to wither a bit, the chick is ready to separate from the parent plant.
- 4
  Pull the chick gently from the parent plant. It should have a single root growing from its base.
- 5
  Plant the chick in a new pot. Use potting soil formulated for cactus growth and water after planting.

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