Whether you know it as hens-and-chicks or houseleek, these succulents are wonderful garden plants.

Among the more commonly grown garden species, they are often found in rock gardens.

The name hens-and-chicks refers to the offsets or pups, which are produced around the mother plant. Each new one is attached to the mother by a sturdy stem.

True alpine plants, there are about twenty species in cultivation. They are native to the mountains of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Perhaps better known than the others, the European species are winter hardy in the northern U.S.

These include the houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum), which is hardy to USDA zone 4 to 8. This species features large, open rosettes with sharp-pointed stiff leaves. The foliage is reddish tinged with white bristles along the margins. The star-like pale reddish blooms with bright purple filaments are about an inch wide. Houseleeks are native to the European lowlands and mountains where they are found in rocky places. They occur in France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and former Yugoslavia. Houseleeks were once grown on roofs as a protection against lightning and fire.

Cobweb houseleek (S. arachnoideum) is similar. But it features small crowded rosettes that are covered with fine cobweb-like hairs on the tips of the leaves. The rose-carmine blooms open from July to September. This one can be found in mountains and rocky places in parts of Europe. ‘Clara Noyes’ is an improved cultivar, featuring rich red, foliage. Cobweb houseleek isn’t considered quite as hardy as the common houseleek. Some experts say it will survive in USDA zone 5.

In addition to these species, there are several others in cultivation. These include the mountain houseleek (S. montanum), and yellow houseleek (S. grandiflorum), both of which are native to Europe.

The small blooms of all the houseleeks species occur on a stalk arising from the center of the rosette.

Whichever houseleek you choose, it has rosettes arranged in clumps. The individual rosettes are usually less than 2½-3 inches wide. The numerous small hairs resemble spider webs. The stems are so short that the leaves are virtually stemless. Their leaves, pointed at both ends, can be very colorful, including vivid reds and purple.

Usually the flowers will appear from June to September. The original flowering rosette will die after it blooms, but before that happens it will produce lots of offsets.

All of the houseleeks can be propagated by seed. There are hybrids available, which don’t come true from seed. The usual way to propagate houseleeks is to cut off the pups from an existing plant.

In the home garden, houseleeks are easy to grow. Give them a well-drained spot in full sun, and they will be happy. If the soil is heavy clay, consider growing them in raised beds as an edging plant.

In addition to being a popular rock garden plant, houseleeks are often grown in the crevices of rock walls. It is harder to establish plants in this way, but the result is well worth the effort.