Dive into the world of sempervivum, commonly known as Hens and Chicks, and witness the array of colors and shapes these charming succulents offer. Join gardening aficionado and plant lover Madison Moulton as she unveils a selection of unique hens and chicks plants to enhance your succulent collection.
Sempervivum spp., the beloved Hens and Chicks, are versatile gems that thrive both indoors and outdoors. Their diverse colors and shapes, coupled with their low-maintenance tendencies and rapid spread, make them ideal for any garden setting. As long as they bask in sunlight, Sempervivum can effortlessly adorn any indoor space with their structured beauty.
Explore our curated list of 25 fascinating Sempervivum varieties that will elevate your gardening experience. With a plethora of choices available, you’re sure to find a Hens and Chicks plant that resonates with your style. Ready to delve into the world of these stunning succulents? Let’s embark on this journey!
Witness a mesmerizing color evolution with ‘Gold Nugget’. The foliage transitions from yellow-green to fiery orange, resembling a lively flame. Apart from its vibrant hues, this variety thrives effortlessly, enduring harsh conditions with grace. The production of ‘chicks’ further adds charm to this exceptional plant.
‘Sempervivum x ciliosum’
‘Sempervivum x ciliosum’ features fleshy lime leaves with berry-like tips.
Scientific Name: Sempervivum x ciliosum
Size: Under 3 inches
Primary Color: Green and Lime
Secondary Color: Pink
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Full and Filtered Sun
Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10
Rosette Size: 3 inches to 4 inches
Indulge in the soft charm of ‘Sempervivum x ciliosum’ with its frosted appearance. The delicate hairs embellishing its leaves create a unique, fluffy texture, adding a gentle contrast to its geometric form. Thriving across various climates, this resilient plant promises year-round growth with minimal care requirements.
Unveil the elegance of ‘Terracotta Baby’ with its striking burgundy foliage elegantly embracing bright green centers. Its tight curls and delicate hairs add a distinctive charm to any garden bed or pot. Embrace this variety’s resilience to thrive across seasons, offering a touch of beauty and grace to your garden.
Spread to 10 inches
Size: Medium
Primary Color: Burgundy
Secondary Color: Bright Green, Fiery Red
Bloom Color: Seasonal
Light Condition: Direct sunlight
Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10
Rosette Size: Up to 10 inches
An intriguing addition to both indoor and outdoor settings, Sempervivum ‘Terracotta Baby’ showcases striking burgundy foliage that encases a vivid green center with elegantly curled leaves framing it.
Embracing a transformative nature akin to Golden Nugget, this variety intensifies its burgundy hue during winter and transitions to a fiery red in the warmer months.
These vibrant succulents inject a splash of color into winter landscapes, offering a visual delight as other plants wither. To preserve their radiant appearance, ample direct sunlight is crucial when cultivating them indoors. While they are fast growers necessitating frequent repotting, they demand minimal additional upkeep.
‘Windstille’
‘Windstille’ varieties feature compact rosettes with light green leaves sporting orange-red tips.
Scientific Name: Sempervivum ‘Windstille’
Size: Small
Primary Color: Bright Green in Winter
Secondary Color: Light Orange in Spring, Orange Tips in Summer
Bloom Color: Strong Pink
Light Condition: Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10
Rosette Size: 2 inches
Intriguing with its compact rosettes and vibrant color palette, ‘Windstille’ offers a classic touch to your collection. Displaying a neon green hue that deepens to orangey-red tips, this succulent metamorphoses during the flowering season, creating a kaleidoscope of colors.
For optimal flowering, ensure these plants bask in abundant sunlight. While they do not demand extra fertilization, a diluted fertilizer application before the blooming phase can enhance their vibrancy.
‘Raspberry Ice’
‘Raspberry Ice’ showcases green leaves complemented by dark purple or burgundy edging for an icy allure.
Scientific Name: Sempervivum ‘Raspberry Ice’
Size: Medium to Large
Primary Color: Grey or Silver
Secondary Color: Burgundy and Red
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Filtered/Partial Sun, Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10
Rosette Size: 5 inches to 6 inches
Named aptly, ‘Raspberry Ice,’ this Sempervivum variant boasts large rosettes with captivating burgundy or deep purple accents and a frosty appearance.
With a penchant for spreading quickly and hugging the ground, this selection excels as a ground cover or in sizable pots that can be replenished with new plants each season, amplifying the vibrant palette within your living space.
‘Green Wheel’ is composed of light green oval leaves with dark purple tips.
Key Traits of ‘Green Wheel’
Size: Compact, Under 3 inches tall
Primary Color: Bright Lime and Green
Secondary Color: None
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Filtered/Partial Sun, Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10
Rosette Size: 3-4 inches
Although not as flashy as some varieties, the striking nearly luminous green leaves of ‘Green Wheel’ in dense clusters make it a standout choice.
Not widely available, ‘Green Wheel’ offers unique appeal without breaking the bank.
The Charm of ‘Arctic White’
‘Arctic White’ boasts a stunning rosette covered in cobweb-like hairs.
Key Traits of Sempervivum arachnoideum ‘Arctic White’
Size: Compact, Around 4 inches tall
Primary Color: White
Secondary Color: Green
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 2 – 9
Rosette Size: 6 inches
‘Arctic White’ impresses with its resilience and unique cobweb-like hairs, making it an ideal ornamental addition.
Early to thrive in winter, this variety brings brightness to your garden during colder months.
The Beauty of ‘Mrs Giuseppi’
‘Mrs Giuseppi’ features distinctive burgundy-red tips on its matte leaves.
Key Traits of Sempervivum ‘Mrs Giuseppi’
Size: Medium, 4-6 inches tall
Primary Color: Green
Secondary Color: Burgundy-Red
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
Rosette Size: 1-2 feet
A robust grower, ‘Mrs Giuseppi’ is perfect for filling empty spaces with its flower-like appearance.
Surviving harsh winters, this variety thrives indoors and outdoors where others struggle.
The Allure of ‘Brunneifolium’
‘Brunneifolium’ flaunts metallic hues from pink to bronze.
Key Traits of Sempervivum marmoreum ‘Brunneifolium’
Size: Moderate, 4 inches tall
Primary Color: Pink
Secondary Color: Chocolate Bronze
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10
Rosette Size: Large, Up to 12 inches
For those who appreciate rock-n-roll aesthetics, ‘Brunneifolium’ with its triangular rosettes is a top pick.
Sempervivum marmoreumDiscover the stunning array of metallic shades exhibited by the ‘Brunneifolium’ succulent, ranging from a silvery pink to a rich chocolate bronze. During winter, deep rose hues emerge, offering a darker contrast to any indoor or outdoor container. Spring and summer bring forth vibrant hot pink stolons that beautifully accentuate the new growth.
Dive into the mysterious allure of ‘Reinhard’, with its eerie appearance characterized by pointed light green leaves tipped in near-black hues. Ideal for enthusiasts of spooky gardens, this Sempervivum variety stands at 4 inches in height and boasts an apple green rosette as its primary color, accompanied by a deep royal purple secondary color. It thrives best in partial shade to full sun conditions within hardiness zones 5 – 10.
Reveal the enchanting beauty of the ‘Purple Dazzler’, known for its dazzling purple appearance derived from dark purple leaves transitioning into green tips. This captivating Sempervivum variant grows up to 5 inches tall and showcases a mid-green primary color with dark royal purple as its secondary hue. Thriving in full sun exposure within hardiness zones 4 – 9, ‘Purple Dazzler’ extends its rosette to approximately 12 inches in spread.
Witness the color metamorphosis of ‘Corsair’, a small Sempervivum with fleshy green leaves that shift to a rosy red or pink tint. Flourishing under full sun or partial sun conditions in hardiness zones 4 – 10, this variety undergoes a stunning transformation with vibrant reds emerging at the start of spring, intensifying as summer approaches and the plant matures. Delight in the tiny white hairs adorning the leaves and the emergence of pink or pale yellow blooms in the summer.
Unveil the allure of ‘Eddy’, a compact Sempervivum variety boasting striking burgundy-bronze leaves. Standing around 4 inches tall, ‘Eddy’ features bronze as its primary color, complemented by a secondary tone of green. This captivating succulent adds a touch of elegance to any setting with its fleshy, elongated leaves covered in delicate white hairs, offering a unique aesthetic appeal.
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness Zone: 4 – 10
Rosette Size: Around 12 inches in spread
Originating from the Czech Republic, Eddy thrives in cold conditions down to Zone 4, showcasing a stunning burgundy bronze hue that captivates all who behold it. In the midst of icy winter days, Eddy injects vibrant pops of color, brightening the gloomy landscape.
These petite rosettes add charm to containers but require well-draining soil and proper ventilation to prevent rotting. Ensure adequate drainage holes in pots and mix in sand or perlite for optimal growth conditions.
‘Fashion Diva’
This hybrid showcases stunning burgundy leaves with wavy wax lines, enhancing its ability to thrive in direct sunlight.
Scientific Name: Sempervivum ‘Fashion Diva’
Size: Small
Primary Color: Kiwi Green Center with Bright Red
Secondary Color: Deep Mauve
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9
Rosette Size: 4 inches
Developed by Kevin C. Vaughn in the United States, ‘Fashion Diva’ boasts a striking appearance reminiscent of ‘Strawberry Kiwi’. Its endurance under direct sunlight is aided by the wax lines, making it a unique addition for collectors who appreciate rare finds.
Although somewhat rare, a single plant of this variety is all you need, as it propagates rapidly. Avoid seed propagation, as the resulting plants may not retain the desired traits.
‘Chocolate Kiss’ has massive chocolate burgundy leaves covered with fine white hairs.
Scientific Name: Sempervivum ‘Chocolate Kiss’
Size: Under 3 inches in height
Primary Color: Deep Burgundy Brown
Secondary Color: Pink
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Filtered/Partial Sun, Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Rosette Size: 5 inches to 6 inches
Standing out with its deep burgundy hue, the Sempervivum ‘Chocolate Kiss’ showcases massive leaves in larger-than-life rosettes, making it a perfect fit for any rock garden. Despite a slightly higher price point compared to other variants, its unique coloration justifies the nominal difference. Alternatively, this succulent thrives even in lower light conditions than other varieties on the list.
‘Cotton Candy’
‘Cotton Candy’ are attractive and cute clumps of beautiful, well-organized green and red leaves.
Scientific Name: Sempervivum ‘Cotton Candy’
Size: Under 3 inches in height
Primary Color: Lime Green
Secondary Color: White
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Filtered/Partial Sun, Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10
Rosette Size: Under 3 inches
Exceptional for its compact clumping habit after spring offsets, the ‘Cotton Candy’ presents a webbed appearance with dense webbing that contrasts the lovely green and red leafage. Also recognized as S. arachnoideum ‘Emily’ (van der Steen), it stands out as one of the larger cultivars of S. arachnoideum.
‘Cosmic Candy’
‘Cosmic Candy’ is a bright red cultivar that produces small rosettes in spring with cobweb-like hairs.
Scientific Name: Sempervivum ‘Cosmic Candy’
Size: 2 inches in height
Primary Color: Bright Red
Secondary Color: Green Chicks
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Full Sun, Part Shade
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Rosette Size: 12 inches
Beyond its striking bright red appearance, ‘Cosmic Candy’ dazzles with petite spring rosettes adorned with a hint of cobweb at their centers. Planted in containers, these succulents create a lush exhibit of deep purple foliage accented by captivating webbing details. While this unique beauty comes at a premium cost, once captivated by its charm, there’s no turning back.
‘Cinnamon Starburst’
‘Cinnamon Starburst’ produces unusual brown-purple leaves with light cotton cobwebs at the tips.
Scientific Name: Sempervivum ‘Cinnamon Starburst’
Size: Under 3 inches
Primary Color: Lime Green
Secondary Color: Red Burgundy with a Copper Sheen
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Filtered/Partial Sun, Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10
Rosette Size: Under 3 inches
Sempervivum ‘Jeanne d’Arc’
This particular variant, known as Sempervivum ‘Jeanne d’Arc,’ earns its moniker from the cinnamon hue adorning the leaf edges. Delightfully featuring wispy, cottony webbing at the tips, this plant will birth numerous new offsets annually.
Highly resilient to pests and diseases, this plant primarily contends with root rot, preventable through adequate drainage and proper watering.
Sempervivum globiferum ssp. allionii
This variation exhibits a spherical shape, boasting dense green leaves that may develop red tips over time.
Sci. Name: Sempervivum globiferum ssp. allionii
Size: Under 3 Inches in Height
Primary Color: Lime Green
Secondary Color: Red Burgundy
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Filtered/Partial Sun, Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10
Rosette Size: 3 inches to 4 inches
This species, labeled ‘roller,’ produces circular offsets that detach from the main plant to root themselves in the soil. While predominantly lime green, it may sport a deep red tint at the leaf tips.
‘Hedgehog’
‘Hedgehog’ is characterized by large rosettes with spiky, reddish-tipped leaves.
‘Hedgehog’ stands out as one of the larger roller varieties, showcasing spiny leaves tipped with red. Its offshoots emerge centrally, resembling mini Proteas due to their unique coloration.
‘Black’
‘Black’ flaunts lemon-green leaves at the base, evolving into deep purple tips.
Sci. Name: Sempervivum ‘Black’
Size: Under 3 inches
Primary Color: Purple to Black
Secondary Color: Bright Lime Green
Bloom Color: Yellow
Light Condition: Filtered/Partial Sun, Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10
Rosette Size: 5 inches to 6 inches
In winter, this variety showcases stunning purple-black hues, transitioning to a lime-green center with rusty red accents come spring. A safe choice for pet owners, this dark-colored plant introduces a Gothic vibe.
Sempervivum pumilum f/ Armchi
Sempervivum ‘Armchi’ features petite green rosettes interconnected by webbing.
Sci. Name: Sempervivum pumilum f/ Armchi
Size: Small
Primary Color: Green and Lime
Secondary Color: Pink
Bloom Color: Pink
Light Condition: Filtered Partial Sun/ Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 5-10
Rosette Size: Under 3 inches
This variant features classic green rosettes with a hint of pink in spring, small in size with interconnected leaves. They can be potted alongside larger plants or showcased individually in a small container.
Final Thoughts
If you dream of an effortlessly vibrant indoor garden, Sempervivum plants, with their diverse species and captivating shades, await you. From easy maintenance to striking colors, each plant on this list promises minimal hassle both indoors and out.
James is an environmental gardener and passionate writer who holds a master's degree in agriculture. He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in environmental horticulture and has a particular interest in soil composition. Currently, James works as a researcher in plant research, where he continues to explore and advance knowledge in his field. His combined expertise in environmental gardening and soil science helps him contribute valuable insights to both academic and practical gardening communities.
James is an environmental gardener and passionate writer who holds a master's degree in agriculture. He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in environmental horticulture and has a particular interest in soil composition. Currently, James works as a researcher in plant research, where he continues to explore and advance knowledge in his field. His combined expertise in environmental gardening and soil science helps him contribute valuable insights to both academic and practical gardening communities.
