Ruby Heart Hens and Chicks

Ruby Heart Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum 'Ruby Heart')

Ruby Heart Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum 'Ruby Heart') is a striking succulent known for its deep red center that fades into green outer leaves, creating a dramatic contrast. This resilient, drought-tolerant perennial offers year-round interest, rapid offset production, and an eye-catching focal point in rock gardens, borders, and container plantings.

Distinctive Features

'Ruby Heart' forms symmetrical rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves with vibrant ruby-red centers surrounded by bright green outer edges. As temperatures drop, the red tones intensify, creating a stunning seasonal transformation. This fast-growing variety produces numerous offsets, or "chicks," that quickly form a dense, low-maintenance groundcover. In mid-to-late summer, mature rosettes send up tall flower stalks topped with clusters of star-shaped pink flowers, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. This variety grows 4 to 6 inches tall and spreads up to 12 inches, making it a perfect addition to drought-tolerant landscapes.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun for best foliage color and compact growth.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy, or rocky soil; tolerates poor soils.
• Water: Drought-tolerant once established; requires minimal watering.
• Humidity: Prefers dry to moderate humidity; avoid excessive moisture.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9, making it highly adaptable.

Ideal Uses

• Rock Gardens: Provides bold color and structure.
• Green Roofs: Thrives in dry, exposed conditions.
• Groundcover: Spreads quickly to form a dense, weed-suppressing mat.
• Container Plantings: Stunning in patio pots and succulent arrangements.
• Crevice and Wall Plantings: Perfect for tight spaces with minimal soil.

Low Maintenance Care

Ruby Heart Hens and Chicks is a resilient, easy-care perennial that thrives with minimal attention.

• Watering: Water sparingly; allow soil to dry completely between waterings.
• Pruning: Remove spent flower stalks and older rosettes as they naturally die off.
• Fertilizing: Minimal fertilization required; thrives in lean soils.
• Pest and Disease Resistance: Highly resistant to pests, deer, and rabbits.
• Winter Care: Cold hardy and evergreen; color deepens in cooler months.

Why Choose Ruby Heart Hens and Chicks?

Ruby Heart Hens and Chicks offers a bold red-green contrast, fast-spreading groundcover, and effortless care, making it an excellent choice for xeriscapes, borders, and container plantings.

• Vibrant Ruby-Red Center: Intense coloration deepens in cold weather.
• Fast-Spreading Growth: Quickly fills spaces with dense clusters.
• Attracts Pollinators: Summer flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies.
• Drought Tolerant: Thrives in dry soils with minimal care.
• Cold Hardy and Evergreen: Maintains structure and color year-round.

For dramatic color shifts, low-maintenance care, and year-round beauty, Ruby Heart Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum 'Ruby Heart') is an outstanding focal point for rock gardens, xeriscapes, and container plantings.