Common name:Hen and chickens houseleekFamily:CrassulaceaeAuthor

Sims.) Opiz.Botanical references:74, 200Synonyms:Sempervivum soboliferum (Sims.), Jovibarba globifera ((L.)J.Parn.)Known Hazards:None knownRange:Europe to Asia.Habitat

ry sandy sites, especially in pine forests and on limestone, also on rocky river banks[74].Plants For A Future Rating (1-5):2
Other Possible Synonyms:From various places across the web, may not be correct. See
below.J. globifera subsp. globifera[G] Sempervivum globiferum[G] Epithets:From a [url="http://www.winternet.com/~chuckg/dictionary.html"]Dictionary of Botanical Epithetssobolifer = bearing offshoots; sobolifera = bearing offshoots;
[/url]Physical Characteristics
An evergreen perennial growing to 0.1m by 0.2m . It is hardy to zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower in July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 2 out of 5 for usefulness.
The plant prefers light (sandy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Cultivated Beds, In Walls, In East Wall, In West Wall. Edible Uses
Leaves.
Leaf rosettes and young shoots - raw[74].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
None known
Other Uses
None known
Cultivation details
Succeeds in any sandy soil[1]. Requires a gritty well-drained soil in full sun[200]. Succeeds on a wall[188].
Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200] so long as they are in a well-drained soil. They strongly dislike winter wet[200].
Individual offsets take several years to reach flowering size but then die after flowering, though more offsets are produced[188, 200].
This species does not hybridize naturally[1].
Propagation
Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest surface sowing the seed in a sunny position in a greenhouse in late winter or early spring. Do not allow the compost to become dry. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division of offsets in the summer[200].