Common Houseleek

## Landscape value Common houseleek, also called hens and chicks, forms low rosettes of fleshy leaves and produces offsets around the parent plant. It suits sunny rock gardens, crevices and containers with excellent drainage. [Conservation Garden Park](https://conservationgardenpark.jvwcd.gov/plants/323/hens-and-chicks) lists this species and notes its low water needs. Forms vary in foliage color and appearance. ## Growing conditions and care Provide full sun and a sharply drained gritty soil; avoid prolonged wetness, particularly in winter. Water during establishment, then adjust infrequent irrigation to conditions. Individual rosettes die after flowering, while offsets continue the colony; remove dead rosettes and accumulated debris. [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sempervivum-tectorum/) describes growth and care. ## Firewise source guidance The [University of Nevada, Reno compilation](https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=4762) lists *Sempervivum tectorum* for Sunset zones 2a, 2b, 10, 11 and 13. It compiles other publications rather than independently testing the plant. Local defensible-space placement and ongoing removal of dead material remain important. This species entry does not establish a separate rating for every cultivar. The [USU Firewise plant fact sheet](https://extension.usu.edu/forestry/publications/utah-forest-facts/002-firewise-plants-for-utah-landscapes) separately lists hens and chicks as “Smempervivum tectorum,” an apparent misspelling of *Sempervivum tectorum*, describing it as low-growing and suited to poor, droughty soils. Remove dead rosettes and follow local firewise placement and maintenance guidance. The [2018 USU Firewise Landscaping guide](https://extension.usu.edu/forestry/files/resources/firewise-landscaping-updated-2018.pdf) separately lists this species among its ground covers. It calls for appropriate irrigation and annual removal of dead stems and litter; follow local placement and maintenance guidance. ## Montana fire-resistant source [Montana State University Extension](https://extension-store.montana.edu/montguides/fire-resistant-plants-for-montana-landscapes) lists Sempervivum tectorum. It cautions that site suitability varies across Montana and that moisture, placement and removal of dry material affect fire behavior. Check local guidance and maintain the planting. ## Utah — complete source care conditions (2026 audit) The [USU 2018 guide](https://extension.usu.edu/forestry/files/resources/firewise-landscaping-updated-2018.pdf), printed page 18, lists Sempervivum tectorum as Hen and Chicks. Provide adequate irrigation, separate planting beds and clip and remove dead stems and litter annually. The separate [USU Firewise fact sheet](https://extension.usu.edu/forestry/publications/utah-forest-facts/002-firewise-plants-for-utah-landscapes) lists Smempervivum tectorum as Hen and Chicks. Its row conditions are: Very low growing; succulent; good on droughty, poor soils. The fact sheet's Smempervivum spelling is reconciled to Sempervivum tectorum based on the matching epithet, hen-and-chicks common name and correct spelling in the separate 2018 guide; no differently named taxon is introduced. The two source associations remain separate. Maintain moisture, suitable spacing and removal of dead material, check local plant suitability and follow current local fire guidance; no plant is fireproof. ## Inland West — source row reconciliation PDF page 19 (printed 17), General list: “Sempervivum tectorum” / “hen and chicks”. Exact source species or reconciled historical spelling/synonym; unselected record used. ## Inland West — 2005 source scope and care The [University of Idaho Station Bulletin 67, January 2005](https://www.uwyo.edu/barnbackyard/_files/documents/resources/mullenfire/protectinghomeswildfire.pdf) includes this taxon in its plant suggestions. The publication says the list is not exhaustive and no plant is fireproof; pruning, watering, plant condition and landscape arrangement matter more than selection alone. Choose for slope, aspect, hardiness and rainfall, and keep this association separate from numerical Idaho BLM scores and other regional ratings. Its landscape guidance describes a treated landscape extending at least 100 feet from the home, with greater distances on steep or windy sites. Separate tree crowns by 10–15 feet; keep foundation plantings low, well watered and free of dead material, eliminate ladder fuels and use separated planting groups with nonflammable breaks. Maintain irrigation, trim turf and remove dry debris. The same species can behave differently with water stress or accumulated dead growth; verify current local guidance and suitability.