Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Killer Hen and Chicks: Maroon-Hearted Rosettes in the Gravel
Save
Killer hen and chicks forms large, perfectly symmetrical rosettes about 5 inches across. The thick, pointed leaves are deep maroon at the center and base, fading out to fresh green tips, which is the reverse of most dark-tipped hens and chicks. Over time the big hen surrounds herself with smaller chicks, and the whole cluster stays just 4 to 6 inches tall.
Despite the name, it has no known victims. It is about the most easygoing plant you can put next to lavender.
Killer at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Sempervivum 'Killer' |
| Rosettes | About 5 inches across, maroon centers fading to green tips |
| Flowers | Occasional stalks of small pink stars in summer |
| Size | 4 to 6 inches tall, 6 to 8 inches wide per cluster |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3-8 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Very low |
| Deer | Resistant |
Sculpture at lavender's feet
Hens and chicks love the same lean, gravelly, sun-baked ground that lavender does. That makes them ideal for the edge of a lavender bed, the gaps between stepping stones, or a gravel mulch around the lavender mounds. The low, geometric rosettes are a strong contrast to lavender's upright, airy spikes.
They are also a smart way to dress up gravel mulch, which many growers use around lavender to keep the crown dry. Plan an edge in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Soil: poor to average with sharp drainage: gravel, sandy soil, rock crevices or a shallow container.
- Water: very little. Constant moisture plus humidity causes rot, so avoid heavy soil and overhead watering.
- Mulch: never pile mulch over the rosettes. Gravel around them is fine.
- Summer heat: rosettes may close up and lose some color in the hottest weeks, then recover in fall.
- Pests: watch for mealybugs and vine weevil larvae.
Hens, chicks and flowers
The chicks can be lifted and replanted any time, so one plant slowly becomes many. When a mature rosette sends up a thick stalk of pink star flowers, that rosette dies after blooming. Cut off the spent stalk, pull out the old hen and let the surrounding chicks fill the gap. Color is strongest in spring and fall.
Walls, cracks and containers
Killer is at home in stone walls, walkway cracks, rock gardens and shallow pots. A strawberry pot or trough on a sunny step makes a low-care display, and it stays evergreen through Michigan winters.
The bare root format
Killer is offered as a bare root plant. Set it in gritty soil with the rosette sitting on the surface, water once and then let it dry out. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Does it need winter protection?
No. It is fully hardy and evergreen in Michigan. Drainage matters far more than cold.
Can I grow it in a pot with lavender?
Yes, in a gritty, fast-draining mix. Both want sun and dry roots.
Share how it went in your field