How to Plant Sempervivum Seeds

Sempervivum--better known as hen and chicks--is a succulent plant that grows natural in mountainous areas. There are over 50 different sempervivum species, and if you plan on planting seeds do not expect the new sempervivums to look like the parent tree, especially if the parent tree is a hybrid. Begin planting the seeds indoors during the winter.

Gather your seeds. You may be able to purchase them or you can collect them from existing sempervivum plants. Allow the fruits (which develop after the flowers bloom) to dry, and then crush them open to reveal the seeds. Refrigerate the seeds for three weeks in a plastic bag.

Use high-quality potting soil in a planting tray and sow the seeds just below the soil’s surface. Moisten the soil. Cover the tray with glass or clear plastic and set the tray in a warm area (65 to 70 degrees F), but out of the sun.

Wait for the seeds to germinate, which should occur within two months. When they are big enough to handle, replant the seedlings in individual pots that are three inches in diameter. Again, use moistened, high-quality potting soil.

Move the pots to a cold frame. A cold frame is a box built without a bottom. The ground serves as the bottom. It has a glass top to absorb sunlight and trap in heat.

Transplant the seedlings outside in the spring. Space multiple plants six inches apart in well-draining soil. Prior to planting, add compost to your soil if necessary.