Hens and chicks
Sempervivum tectorum
Hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2 to 6 in tall and 6 to 12 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Succulent rosettes; produces 'chicks' that detach and root. Classic between flagstones.
On the CSU listlow water2 to 6 in tall and 6 to 12 in wideXeric / water-wiseLow ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 10/10
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Felicia Seichter, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Armin G. Fabritzek, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Armin G. Fabritzek
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Between pavers & flagstones, Hellstrips / parking strips
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 2 to 6 in tall and 6 to 12 in wide
- Growth habit
- Clumping
- Planting spacing
- ~8 to 12 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid summer
- Bloom color
- pink
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 10/10
Using Hens and chicks as a groundcover
Hens and chicks grows in tidy clumps. It fills in loosely, so mulch between plants while it establishes.
Planting & establishment
Bombproof succulent. Drainage matters, never sits in water.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Hens and chicks good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Hens and chicks is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Hens and chicks get?
- It matures to about 2 to 6 in tall and 6 to 12 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Hens and chicks?
- Space Hens and chicks about 8 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 12 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Hens and chicks hardy on the Front Range?
- Hens and chicks is hardy in USDA 3 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Hens and chicks need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Hens and chicks native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Hens and chicks a good firewise plant near the house?
- Hens and chicks is rated 10 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Hens and chicks?
- Hens and chicks isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Will Hens and chicks spread or stay put?
- Hens and chicks is clumping. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Hens and chicks stay green in winter?
- Hens and chicks keeps partial cover through Front Range winters.
