Last Updated on July 16, 2021 by Marco C.
Why is my hen and chick plant dying? We’ve often heard this question from many succulent collectors.
Well, there are many reasons for unhealthy hen and chick plants. But if this happens, it is time you save your plant!
As your succulent grows, their bottom leaves will shrivel up and die. Oftentimes, this is due to overwatering or underwatering. Or maybe, there isn’t enough light. Your plant is also stressed perhaps.
In this article, we will discuss various possible reasons why your hen and chick plants are dying.
All About Hen and Chick Plant Dying
Hen and chick plants are varieties of the succulent family. Generally, succulents are divided into several categories. Many of them belong to the Crassula family. Part of this family is the Sempervivum, which is more easily called the “hens and chicks”.
It got its name from how it looks. The main plant (a hen) produces offsets on a thin runner, which are the chicks. But what happens when you see drying leaves on your plant? Is it dying? Is there you can do to resolve it?
Read more abut: Why Is My Succulent Wilting? Questions Answered
What Are The Reasons For Hen and Chick Plant Dying?
Too Much Water
Hens and chicks often die from too much water. Succulents require well-drained soil. If your pot does not have a hole or the soil you have used doesn’t drain easily, it could be a factor.
Succulents only need watering once every 7 to 10 days. If you have watered often, your succulent can become yellowish. The leaves will retain more water and become fleshier. Overwatering can also cause the roots to rot.
Take note that hens and chicks are hardy succulents. They can live in cold weather such as in USDA zones 3-8. While it requires soil to drain well, it can live through the winter season.
Just make sure you don’t water it too much. Leaves of overwatered succulents are swollen and mushy. If your hens and chicks are located in a wet area, you may want to relocate them.
When planted in the right location, they are easy to propagate. You can just remove the offsets and plant them elsewhere.
Not Enough Water
Hens and chicks can also die from too much neglect. While they do not need much water, do not leave them bone dry. Not enough water or too little light can cause leaves to dry.
If continued for a long time, your succulent could eventually die. Some types of hens and chicks lose bottom leaves regularly, especially in the winter. You need to assess your plant carefully whether they are just losing leaves as a sign of growing or whether they are actually dying.
If your succulent is losing leaves just because it is growing, you can simply remove the leaves at the booth. You can clean it up using your bare hands. If you want to go the safer route, you can use a scissor to remove dried leaves.
Remember, dried leaves pop off easily so you don’t overdo it.
Pest Infestation
Another reason for your hen and chick plant dying is the presence of pests. Aphids and mealybugs can stick inside the curled-in leaves of your plant.
You must watch out for tiny white bugs that normally stick in groups on the leaf. Do not put your plants in extremely humid areas as they can be more prone to pest infestation.
How To Care For Hen and Chick Plant
Hen and chick plant dying is brought by a lot of reasons. That is why we have prepared some care tips for you.
Choose A Good Soil
Hens and chicks grow nice in sandy soil. It gives them good drainage. If you don’t have access to sandy soil, you can mix pumice with your potting soil. Also, use coarse sand for better results. This type of succulent usually thrives in the cracks of rock walls. So you would want to mimic that environment when planting it in your garden.
Climate
Climate plays an important role in growing hens and chicks. They are hardy succulent they good in a warmer environment. But they can also survive in the winter. Keep the plant in a well-lighted place. We have always recommended succulent owners place their plants by the windows to get indirect sunlight. Sometimes, the insufficient sun can also cause them to wither and die.
Give Them Sunlight
Succulents are sun-loving plants. This means you need to give them enough sun exposure. But do not expose them to extreme heat as they will die.
A good amount of sunlight is ideal for hens and chicks. They can start to blossom and show their vivid colors. You will love them in green or purple. Depending on how you care for them, they can also show their best blossom.
If it is too hot outside, you can bring your succulent inside. But you don’t want to keep moving your succulents. So if you want them in the garden, you can put a net to filter the sunlight that goes to them.
Make A Watering Schedule
The amount of water you give to your succulent matters a lot. As we have said, too much or too little watering can lead to the death of your plants.
Better yet, create a schedule for watering. Water your plant at least once in 7 to 10 days. You can set reminders on your phone so you won’t forget. Note that hens and chicks are drought plants. But too much neglect will leave them bone dry.
Hen and Chick Plant Dying – The Remedy
Giving your hen and chick plant the proper care they need is crucial for their survival. If it is your first time caring for succulents, you will find it a bit challenging.
As time goes by, you will learn the techniques to make things a lot easier. Just follow these tips and your succulent will thrive. We hope you enjoyed reading our blog.
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