Hen and Chicks, Silverine

Hen and Chicks 'Silverine' (Sempervivum tectorum 'Silverine')

‘Silverine’ is a striking cultivar of the classic hen and chicks succulent, known for its silvery rosettes edged with soft green and blushed with pink tones in cooler weather. This hardy alpine succulent forms tight, symmetrical rosettes and spreads slowly via offsets (the “chicks”), creating a dense mat of drought-tolerant, evergreen foliage. Exceptionally tough and low-maintenance, 'Silverine' is ideal for rock gardens, green roofs, living walls, and dryland permaculture projects where structure and soil stabilization are key.

Key Characteristics

• Superb for Rock Gardens and Green Roofs
  With its ability to thrive in shallow, nutrient-poor soils and extreme temperature fluctuations, ‘Silverine’ is ideal for rocky outcrops, crevice gardens, or green roof plantings. It roots shallowly but strongly, stabilizing loose soils and cracks.

• Evergreen Structure with Seasonal Color Shifts
  ‘Silverine’ maintains a rosette of silver-green leaves year-round, with the outer leaf edges tinged pink to burgundy in cooler weather. Its tidy form adds architectural interest to the garden in all seasons.

• Pollinator Interest in Bloom Season
  Mature rosettes send up tall, starry flower stalks in summer, attracting bees and other pollinators. After flowering, the “hen” dies back, leaving space for new chicks to fill in.

• Cold Hardy and Drought Tolerant
  This Sempervivum cultivar is incredibly resilient—able to survive freezing temperatures and long dry spells once established. Perfect for xeriscaping, container gardens, and tough spots like gravel paths or stone walls.

• Excellent for Permaculture Edging and Ground Covers
  Useful in dryland permaculture as a living mulch or ground cover in herb spirals, keyhole beds, or the sunny edges of food forests, where its dense mat helps reduce evaporation and suppress weeds.

Product Details

• Native Range: Cultivar of European alpine species
• Plant Life Cycle: Evergreen perennial succulent
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to light shade
• Soil Requirements: Dry to medium-dry, well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
• Mature Height: 2–4 inches (up to 8 inches with flower stalk)
• Bloom Time: June–August
• Bloom Color: Pale pink to reddish star-shaped flowers
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–9

‘Silverine’ is a beautifully textured, extremely hardy succulent with real ecological and design value. Its drought resistance, pollinator blooms, and striking silver rosettes make it an easy choice for low-maintenance gardens, green roofs, or permaculture landscapes.