The common name “Hens and Chicks” refers to the succulent plants in the genus Sempervivum, known for their tight rosettes and extreme hardiness. The name describes their growth habit: a large central rosette—the “hen”—produces numerous smaller rosettes—the “chicks”—around its base. These plants are prized for their ability to tolerate poor soil and cold temperatures, often thriving in rock gardens. Their compact, fleshy leaves are arranged in a geometric pattern, with colors ranging from bright green to deep red. Gardeners often notice a dramatic change in appearance when these rosettes bloom, leading to questions about their survival.
The Direct Answer: Understanding Reproductive Behavior
The short answer is yes: the individual rosette that produces a flower stalk will die after flowering is complete. This is not a sign of poor health; it is a natural part of the plant’s life cycle. Sempervivum follows a reproductive strategy where a rosette flowers only once in its lifetime. This process is triggered when a mature rosette, which may take several years to develop, dedicates all its stored energy to reproduction.
The first visible sign is the rosette’s center stretching upward as it forms a thick, elongated stalk. This stalk can grow up to a foot or more in height, culminating in a cluster of star-shaped flowers, usually pink, red, or yellow. Once the flowers fade and the plant produces seeds, the parent rosette has completed its reproductive purpose. Having expended its resources, the rosette inevitably begins to shrivel and die back.
The Role of Offsets in Species Survival
While the “hen” rosette dies, the entire plant colony continues to thrive. The genus name Sempervivum translates from Latin to “always living,” reflecting this survival mechanism. The species’ survival is guaranteed by the numerous small rosettes, or “chicks,” produced by the parent plant beforehand. These offsets are clones of the mother plant, ensuring successful genetic traits persist. A single mother plant can produce a dozen or more offsets throughout its life, often connected by small horizontal stems.
The plant functions not as a single individual but as a resilient, interconnected colony that perpetually renews itself. When the center rosette flowers and dies, it makes way for the next generation of rosettes. The “chicks” either have their own root systems or are developing them, ready to grow and expand into the space left behind. This continual cycle of vegetative reproduction is the core reason the plant appears to live forever, despite the death of its individual components.
Post-Flowering Care and Maintenance
Once flowering is complete and the parent rosette begins to wither, the gardener should tidy the area to encourage new growth. The first action is to remove the dead flower stalk and the spent rosette. This is done by clipping the stalk near the base or gently pulling the material away from the surrounding offsets. Removing this matter prevents potential rot or fungal issues that could affect the healthy “chicks.”
Clearing the spent rosette is beneficial because it immediately frees up space for the offsets to grow larger and establish themselves more quickly. The young rosettes will naturally fill the gap created by the death of the “hen,” maintaining the dense mat of succulents. This simple maintenance step ensures the continuous propagation of the colony, allowing the “chicks” to mature into the next generation of “hens.”