Experienced grower's notes on Hen and Chicks

I've been growing plants seriously for over fifteen years and Hen and Chicks remains a reliable favourite. For anyone starting out: the most critical thing is using a gritty well-draining cactus compost mix. Everything else follows from that.

mealybug infestations in leaf crevices is the challenge that trips up most beginners and some experienced growers too. I've been growing mine in an office desk with a grow light for three seasons now and the results are consistently good. wide range of colours from blue-grey to red is what makes it worth coming back to year after year. surprising flower spikes in late spring is when I show it off — it earns its place fully then.