Plants ordered today will begin shipping in May of 2024

Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) potted plant, organic

(1 customer review)

$8.50

Family:  Stonecrop (Crassulaceae)

Hardy to Zones 3 to 10

(Common Houseleek, Hen and Chicks, Semper = Always, Vivum = Living)  Probably the commonest of outdoor hardy succulents, this plant has been closely associated with human habitation since antiquity.  Requiring little or no soil and storing water, nutritive and medicinal energy in its plump leaves, it is the mainstay of the “living roof” and is said to protect the house from lightning and fire, which does indeed make sense.  I find them pleasant to chew, slightly lemony and definitely astringent to the mucous membranes.  Traditional use (TWM): antiinflammatory, sore throat and infection, sunburn, old burns, stings of insects, applied to the temples for headache. Plant prefers sun and dryish, fast-draining soil.  Does very well wedged between stones on a wall or tiles on a roof. You just nestle it down into any crack and it’ll take hold.  By the way, it won’t make your house “leek.”  The word leek has an ancient origin meaning houseplant.  Keep these little succulents close to home.  They are really sweet companions. Space 3 to 6 inches apart.

Potted plant, certified organically grown

 

In stock

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1 review

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What others are saying

  1. Question

    Jeanne

    Would these do well on the northeast facing roof of our woodshed? Or do they require more sunlight?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      roof house leeks they call them, not that they make your house leak, mind you. they’ll do fine on any appropriately prepared live roof, as long as they get a little sun at least. r

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  2. 4 out of 4 people found this helpful
    Monija

    Beautiful Houseleek/Hen & Chicks

    Monija

    My plants survived well during shipping, The are healthy and beautiful and growing nicely. I’m very satisfied!
    Two or tree drops of fresh squeezed leaves juice directly into the ear is great for earache and ear infection. It is excellent for wounds, sores, burns, insect bites and abscesses. Houseleek and Honey is natural cure for fibroids and cysts. Widely planted and popular in Europe. Some people believe this plant has the ability to protect a house and keeps the household members safe and prosperous.

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    • One person found this helpful

      canoeing1st

      OH, how beautiful!!!! Thank you for sharing this picture!! I am looking forward to having this beauty in my collection!!

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi, Make sure to click “waitlist,” I will be having these again soon, they proliferate in the rock walls of my tortugas. r

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    • Tiff

      If I got 1 of thesez would it multiply over the years?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi tiff, yes actually they multiply within the first year. our stock on the sempervivum is quite robust right now. r

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    • Phyllis Cooper

      Oh my, I have these that I had gotten from my grandmother. She passed away in 1994. I had no idea these had medicinal value. Could you tell me the best way to use this. Tincture? I am a newbie to all this.

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi phyllis, old world herbalists used sempervivum in the fresh form, not a tincture. Traditional use (TWM): antiinflammatory, sore throat and infection, sunburn, old burns, stings of insects, applied to the temples for headache.

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