Up close macro shot of rubber tree plant leaf

Hens and Chicks Care Guide

Congrats! You just received your new plant! Now what?

1. Getting started with your Hens and Chicks

Planter placed besides window with sunlight
location

Where to place your Hens and Chicks

Place it next to a sunny window

Like most succulents, your Hens and Chicks prefers bright direct light. It can adapt to medium light, but growth may slow

Pro-tip: your Hens and Chicks will stretch towards the light. To maintain its symmetrical form, make sure to rotate it once a week towards the source of light

Happy planter with illustrated smile
Potting

Potting your Hens and Chicks

Feel free to immediately repot your Hens and Chicks
Unlike most houseplants, Hens and Chicks aren't very sensitive to repotting, especially when younger (due to their smaller root systems)

If you purchased a Hens and Chicks set from us, then don't worry - we'd have done the repotting for you :)

2. Continually caring for your Hens and Chicks

Illustrated planter watered using watering can
WATERING

Watering your Hens and Chicks

Water when the soil is completely dry
It is vital to wait for the soil to dry out completely between waterings. We like to use a chopstick to poke the soil from the drainage hole at the bottom; if the chopstick comes out:
1) Clean: your soil is dry and needs a watering
2) Dirty: you'll know the soil is still moist and doesn't need a watering

Rule of thumb: expect to water your plant every 2-3 weeks, and more often with more light. Having said that, soil moisture should be your primary indicator for when you should water your plant

When watering, gently pour until liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom and discard any excess water. Remember, never use cold water as this will shock your plant's roots

Be careful to aim the water at the soil; not the rosetta
If water becomes trapped in the rosetta, problems could arise. You can also water from below by placing the pot in a shallow tray of water, allowing it to spoak up from the bottom.

Cactus plant dressed in warm clothing
Temperature

Finding your Hens and Chicks' favorite temperature

Like most houseplants, Hens and Chicks are happiest between 18°C-30°C

Plant preparing for repotting with bag of soil
Re-potting

Repotting your Hens and Chicks

When cared for well, Hens and Chicks Plants can grow quite large and will need to be repotted every year or so to accommodate that growth

When it's time, remember that like cactuses, Hens and Chicks like soil with a lot of aeration (because they don't retain as much water/moisture). When your plant is ready for repotting, use a well-drained potting mix that includes ingredients such as perlite or lava rocks

Transfer your Hens and Chicks into a pot that's a about 1-2 inches in diameters larger than its current one to give it ample room to grow

Cleaning/dusting plant with dust mop
Cleaning/pruning

Cleaning/pruning your Hens and Chicks

As with most plants, old foliage on Hens and Chicks will eventually die and fall off; we suggest using a pair of tweezers to gently pull them away as this happens.

As your Hens and Chicks grow, you may notice them collecting dust. When you see this, gently wipe off each leaf top with a damp rag to reveal a healthy shine. This will help your plant soak in more light and breathe through the little pores on its leaves (stomata).


Some common problems with Hens and Chicks

1. Leaves falling off

Usually caused by overwatering; simply let the plant dry out before watering again

2. Yellowing leaves

If the yellowing leaves are swollen, then your plant is being overwatered. Simply let the plant dry out before watering again. If the yellow leaves are shriveling and wilting, then your plant is being underwatered. Time to give it a drink!

3. Dead lower leaves

This is completely normal. Lower leaves naturally wither and die as the plant grows and produces new leaves from the center of the plant. Simply pull off any dead leaves from the plant. Remove any dead leaves that have fallen off into the soil to prevent insects and bugs from hiding in there.

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