Comparing Hen and Chicks varieties — notes from growing several

I've grown several varieties within the Hen and Chicks family and have some observations to share. extremely low maintenance between waterings varies noticeably between them, more than catalogue descriptions suggest. The care fundamentals are shared — using a gritty well-draining cactus compost mix applies across all of them.

mealybug infestations in leaf crevices affects some more than others, particularly in adverse conditions. I grow mine in a shallow dish garden arrangement which works well for most varieties. vivid stress colouring in full summer sun is the clearest moment of differentiation between varieties — that's when the character of each comes through. Worth growing a few side by side if you have the space.