Unhealthy Hen and Chick Plant! 10 Signs with Soloutions

Are you struggling to keep your hen and chick plants healthy?

Hen and Chick Plants are popular indoor plants. They are known for being very active and lively. Sometimes, plants can get sick and it is not always easy to figure out why.

The good news is that you don’t have to suffer through an unhealthy plant any longer.

We can help you take care of your hen and chick plants. We have tips that will help it stay healthy all year long.

We will tell you important things about how to care for your soil. This includes what kind of water and fertilizer it needs, and more.

Read our blog post today, “Unhealthy Hen and Chick Plant! Signs, Reasons, & Soloutions”!

Basic Info of the Plants

Common Name	Houseleek, Hens & chicks
Botanical Name	Sempervivum Tectorum
Plant Type	Succulents
Category	Hardy Succulents
Family	Crassulaceae
Sunlight	Prefer Full Sunlight
Soil	Can handle Poor Soil
Flowers	Gives FLowers in Summer

Why Are Your Hen And Chick Plant Unhealthy?

There are many reasons why hens and chick plants might not be healthy. Here are some of them:

Insufficient Sunlight

Overwatering

Waterlogged Soil

Underwatering

Fungal Infections

Soil with Nutrient Deficiency

Excessive Humidity

Pests

Natural Life Cycle

Food For Wild

Now we’ll explain them one by one in detail.

Insufficient Sunlight

Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis, and plants need it to remain healthy. If the plant does not get enough sunlight, it cannot make enough food to help it grow.

Inadequate sun exposure also results in weak stems, pale leaves, and yellowed foliage. If a hen and chick plant does not get enough sunlight, it can get sick with a fungus.

The study looked at how different levels of light affect plant growth and physiology.

Results showed that when the amount of light was reduced to 50% and 25%, plants were more likely to get a fungal disease. This disease can hurt many crops and plants.

Put your hen and chick plants in a place with bright light all day long. Make sure it is indirect light, not direct light.

If you can, put your plants outside when it is sunny. It will help them get the sunlight they need to stay healthy.

Overwatering

Giving plants too much water is one of the main reasons why they might not be healthy.

Too much water in the soil can cause a plant to become root-bound. It means the plant has an unhealthy amount of roots for its size.

If you give your hen and chick plants too much water, the plants cannot get the food and air they need. This will make them weak.

Signs of overwatering include wilting leaves and yellowing foliage. If these signs appear, it’s time to reduce the amount of water being given to your plants.

When watering, make sure that the soil only feels slightly damp. If you touch it and it feels soggy, then it’s time to reduce the amount of water.

Waterlogged Soil

Another common issue with hens and chick plants is waterlogged soil. When there is too much water in the soil, it can cause the plant roots to rot.

Overwatering your plants can lead to waterlogged soil. Be careful with the water you give your plants. Make sure they don’t get too much.

Signs of waterlogged soil include yellow or wilting leaves, as well as a foul odor. If you see these signs, reduce the amount of water given to your plants.

Waterlogged soil can also lead to root rot. If this happens, remove the plant from its pot and check the roots for any rotting or dead pieces. Throw those away so that they won’t cause further damage to the plant.

When the soil is too wet, there isn’t enough oxygen for the plant. This makes it hard for the plant to grow.

Move them to an area with better drainage. Also, monitor the amount of water you give them.

Underwatering

Signs of underwatering include wilted leaves, dry soil, and yellow or brown foliage. If you see these signs, give your plants more water.

Underwatering can lead to nutrient deficiency. Plant roots need water to transport the nutrients from the soil to the rest of the plant.

When you water plants, make sure that you give them just enough. Do not over-water them, and make sure that you give enough water to reach the roots.

If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water your plants.

A study was done to see what happens when a succulent plant does not get enough water. The results were published in the Journal of Experimental Botany.

The authors discovered that when plants do not get enough water, the leaves fall off. Moreover, changes in leaf anatomy and physiology.

Fungal Infections

Fungi can cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown. Additionally, it can lead to a rotten smell from the soil.

If you see these signs, inspect your plants closely and check if they have any fungal infections. If they do, make sure to treat them quickly.

One way to prevent fungal diseases in your plants is by reducing the amount of moisture they are exposed to. 

Fungal infections can happen when the air around your plants is too humid.

Be sure to provide proper air circulation. If you have the plants indoors, put a fan near them or use an air purifier.

Soil with Nutrient Deficiency 

Nutrients are essential for the growth of your plants. So it is important to make sure that your soil has enough nutrients.

Signs of nutrient-deficient soil include yellowish leaves and slow growth. If you see these signs, it means that the soil lacks some essential nutrients.

You can put fertilizer in the soil to give your plants more nutrients.

Excessive Humidity

Excessive humidity can cause mold and mildew in your plants. It’s important to monitor the humidity levels around your plants.

You can buy a humidity meter to keep track of the air around your plants.

Optimal air should be between 50% and 70%. If you see that the air is too humid, you can open the windows to reduce the moisture.

Finally, make sure that there is enough air circulation around your plants.

Pests

Pests like aphids, mites, and mealybugs can all feed on your plants and cause damage.

Signs of these pests include yellowing leaves, sticky residue on the plants, and small webs.

Pests can harm your plants. They suck out the sap and nutrients which makes the plant weak and not healthy.

Additionally, some pests can also transmit viruses to your plants.

To prevent pests from infesting your plants, make sure to inspect them regularly. If you see any signs of these pests, take action immediately.

Look closely at the leaves and stems. See if there are any eggs or small bugs left by the pests.

Natural Life Cycle

Most plants have a natural life cycle. This includes growing, flowering, and reproducing.

At certain points in the life of a plant, you may notice signs that it is not doing well.

During the growth phase, your plants may look wilted or droopy if they don’t get enough water and nutrients. The leaves may also start to yellow.

During the flowering phase, you may see signs of nutrient deficiency or pest infestation.

At the end of a plant’s life cycle, its leaves will begin to dry and turn brown.

As plants get older, it is normal for plants to wilt. Don’t think that the wilting is caused by not enough water or food.

Succulent plants have usually a life cycle of 3 years. Hen and chicks plants only flower once in their life. 

After the offsets grow up, both the flower and hen die.

Food For Wild Animals

Wild animals often depend on the food that is found in nature to survive. But when these sources are not available or depleted, they will look for alternative food sources.

If you have plants growing in your yard, wild animals may mistake them as a food source. This can lead to the destruction of your garden and damage to your plants.

Rats, deer, and bunnies like to eat the first young plants. They find them very attractive.

Signs of wild animals in your garden include chewed leaves, stems, and roots. They may also leave droppings or footprints in the soil.

To prevent wild animals from eating your plants, put up fences or netting around them. You can also provide food for these animals near the edge of your property.

How To Revive An Unhealthy Hen And Chick Plant

Proper Fertilizer

To make your unhealthy hen and chick plant healthy again, you need to give it fertilizer.

Fertilizers are vital because they provide the nutrients that plants need to thrive. Look for a type of fertilizer made just for cacti and succulents.

You can find these at garden centers or online. Follow the details on the package for proper application.

Apply fertilizer every four to six weeks during spring and summer. Use it when your hen and chick plants are actively growing.

Watering Schedule

Season	Frequency
In Summer (Morning)	Once a Week
In Winters (Morning)	When soil is completly dry.

Proper watering is necessary to keep your hen and chick plants healthy. 

Too much water can lead to root rot, while too little can cause the plant to wilt and die.

Water your plants only when their soil is completely dry. Water deeply until you see it drip from the bottom of the planter.

Then, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.

In summer, water your hen and chick plants once a week. In winter, only water them once a month or when the soil is completely dry. 

Also, watering in the morning instead of the evening can be good. 

Choose A Good Soil

Selecting good soil for your hen and chick plants is important in keeping them healthy. Make sure to choose soil specifically made for cacti and succulents.

These soils have special materials in them, like perlite or pumice. They make it easier for the roots to get air and water. The soil should also be slightly acidic or neutral in pH.

Avoid soils with a high content of clay, as these can cause the soil to become soggy and lead to root rot.

After choosing the right soil for your hen and chick plant. Then make sure it is wet, not too wet or too dry. 

You can also add some sand to help with drainage and aeration.

Proper Sunlight

Hen and chick plants need plenty of sunlight to stay healthy. But they don’t like it too much.

Give them several hours of direct sun each day. Also, make sure to give them some shade in the afternoon.

If you live in a very hot climate, you can place your plants in a semi-shade during the summer.

These plants may scorch if they get too much sun. So make sure to monitor their exposure carefully.

A south-facing window can be a great spot for your plant to get the right amount of light.

Keeping Away From Humidity

Hen and chick plants shouldn’t be kept in high humidity. Too much moisture can make plants get sick. It can also attract bugs to them.

They like it better in places that are not very humid. This includes places that are similar to deserts.

If you live in a place with hot, sticky air, make sure your plants get lots of fresh air. Put them in spots where the air can move around them.

This helps to keep the air circulating and reduce humidity levels. You can try using a dehumidifier in the room where you have your plants.

Controlling Pests And Fungal Infections

Hen and chick plants can be affected by pests and fungal infections. To keep them healthy, you need to protect them from these threats.

Start by making sure your plant has proper drainage. This will help the soil from getting too wet or soggy.

You can use special sprays on your plants to keep them safe from pests and diseases. These are called pesticides and fungicides.

Finally, check your plants regularly for any signs of pests or fungal infections. If you find any bugs, take care of them right away before they spread to other plants.

Repotting

Hen and chick plants don’t need to be repotted very often. But when they do, make sure to use the right soil mix and pot size.

Choose a container that has drainage holes at the bottom. This helps keep your plant from getting too wet or soggy.

Take your time when transferring the plant to its new pot. Be careful not to damage the root system or cause any shock.

Make sure to water your hen and chick plants after repotting them. This will help them adjust to their new environment.

Finally, make sure to keep an eye on your plants in their new pots. Monitor them closely for signs of stress or disease.

You can keep your plants looking and feeling great for a long time if you take these easy steps.

Right Climate

Hen and chick plants require the right climate to stay healthy.

If you live in an area with long, cold winters, your plant will need extra protection. Make sure it is away from drafts and windows that get direct sunlight during the day.

You can also cover it with a sheet or blanket for added warmth.

If it is very hot where you live, make sure your plants get light from the sun but not directly. This will help them stay cool and not be exposed to too much heat.

These plants don’t like a lot of humidity. Make sure to give them fresh air every day.

How To Remove Dead Leaves From Hens & Chicks?

When taking care of a hens and chicks plant, it is important to remove any dead leaves.

Dead leaves not only detract from the aesthetic beauty of your plants. But they also can provide a breeding ground for pests and diseases.

Here are some tips on how to take away old leaves from your hens and chicks:

1. Start with a pair of clean scissors or garden clippers. If you don’t have any tools for gardening, wear gloves. It will help stop germs from spreading between the plants.

2. Carefully cut away dead leaves at the base where they meet the stem. It will stop any sickness from spreading.

3. Once you have finished, throw away the dead leaves in a compost or trash bin. It will keep plants from being spread back onto your hens and chick plants.

4. Look at your hens and chicks plants often. See if there are any dead or dying leaves. This will help you maintain healthy and vibrant plants all season long!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Taking proper care of your hen and chick plants is essential for them to thrive. The best solution is to use the right amount of water. Too much can make the soil too wet and cause problems, while not enough can hurt your plants.

Give your hen and chick plants enough sunlight. The best kind of light for them is gentle and indirect.

Don’t forget also to ensure they are not subject to excessive humidity. Lastly, keep an eye out for any pests that may try to inhabit their home.

These plants will not stay green during winter. Even when it seems like nothing will help, this is normal.

The plants may need a rest before they can bloom again in the spring. This could be part of their natural life cycle.

Use these tips and you can learn how to take care of hens and chicks.