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Hen - and - skirt is a unremarkably used name for a group of succulent , mostly belonging to the Sempervivum genus and the Crassulaceae menage .
Hen - and - chick plants produce numerous outset appearing around the radical of the mother biddy .
The female parent plant is the “ biddy , ” and the offsets are her “ chicks . ” This plant also realise its name due to its rosette shape .
Many of these species come from northerly Africa and southern Europe . But they ’re also grown throughout the world for their interesting appearances , including their different foliage gloss and shapes , and blooms .
The most popular of these coinage is theSempervivum tectorum , known as vulgar houseleeks .
Pronounced [ sem - per - VEE - vum , tek - TOR - um ] , Sempervivum tectorum produces clump of carmine - purple flowers .
When growing Hen - and - chicks plants , they involve full sun to fond tincture and expand in hardiness Zones 3–1 . They also need lineal sunshine to keep their beautiful hue .
H2O hen and chicks are drought - tolerant perennials , so they can withstand drop dead weeks at a time without watering .
As drought - resistant perennials , biddy and chicks can withstand week without too much water and do n’t need much fertiliser .
These succulent plants also do comfortably in well - draining dirt and prefer sandy , gravelly potting mix . This make them a favorite option for landscapes with rock ‘n’ roll gardens .
If you have a poor territory type or cactus mixture , you may ameliorate it with hunky-dory gravel , grit , pumice stone , or perlite for good drainage .
They are also relatively tolerant to pests and diseases but may be a mark of mealybug , aphids , and root rot . you may expend scratch alcohol to remove them .
While Sempervivums are alone and fun to grow , many people worry whether they ’re toxic to people or animate being .
Is The Hens and Chicks Plant Poisonous or Toxic?
The hen and skirt Sempervivum is n’t known to contain any toxic compound .
It ’s reckon a secure potful plant to get around pets and children .
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( ASPCA ) state hen and Gallus gallus Sempervivums are n’t toxic to wienerwurst , African tea , or horses .
Some citizenry even include plebeian houseleek in their sore food diet .
It features a more or less moody taste and the texture and consistency of cucumbers .
The edible parts admit the thick leaves and immature shoot .
The water stored in the plant may also aid palliate skin excitation , providing a non - toxic substitute for aloe vera .
In fact , biddy and crybaby are unremarkably recommended indoor plants for pet proprietor reckon for dependable , non - toxic plant - growing choice .
It is miserable - maintenance hens and does n’t necessitate a slew of place .
More on the subject : Are succulent Poisonous to Dogs ?
Why Do People Assume Hens and Chickens Are Poisonous?
While most succulents wo n’t harm masses or pets if take in , people tend to assume hens and chicks contain toxin .
This perniciousness concern may come from the appearing of the plants .
Succulents , include hens and chicks , sport chummy parts which store nutrients .
People may assume the gamy , fleshy inside of the leaf and stems may hold potentially harmful compounds .
to boot , several popular species of succulent are be intimate to hold toxin :
These common garden plants are toxic to blackguard , big cat , and horse . They may also do distress to human race when ingested .
Another potential causal agency of concern is the similarities between mother hens and chicks , and other succulents .
Some individuals may have read or mistaken a species of Sempervivum for another plant .
For example , several other species within the Crassulaceae family are known for their toxicity .
Cotyledon and tylecodon are succulents that contain active ingredients that can cause various cardiac symptoms , let in an increase risk of a gist attack .
What Are The Symptoms Of Poisoning?
If you , a child , or a pet eats a potentially harmful industrial plant , mistake it for a non - toxic hens and skirt plant life , face for the following symptom or signs of poisoning :
Pets may also experience blood in the stool , speedy breathing , excessive salivation , and lethargy .
Some plants also cause skin excitation .
After disturb the muggins on Euphorbias , the skin may develop a blizzard .
When cover with suspect poisoning , do n’t induce regurgitation .
With many toxin , inducing vomit may harm the gorge or increase the rigor of the reaction , contribute to excess vomiting and tum botheration .
If a ducky ingests an unsung garden or indoor plant and shows symptoms of toxic condition , get hold of the veteran as soon as potential .
If a child ingests a potentially harmful works , visit an emergency way or local hand brake clinic .
Bring a sample of the ingested industrial plant or flower with you , whether call a infirmary , veterinary , or clinic .
essay to estimate how much of the plant life was ingested and keep raceway of the symptoms .
Are Other Succulents Safe for Pets and Kids?
Most species of hens and chicks plant remain safe for spring up around pets and kid .
However , many extra species of succulents grow are also considered non - toxic , including :
Even if a succulent does n’t contain toxin , ingesting large quantities of the fleshy succulent outgrowth may still cause mild digestive distress .
Parts of the works may also set a choking hazard .
Many flora are perfectly safe and non - toxic , but it ’s always a good idea to use forethought .
ward off take in any plants not intended as food items , and supervise children and pets near houseplants .
How to Protect Yourself While Handling the Hens and Chicks Sempervivum
While the biddy and hens are n’t toxic , there are one thousand of succulents , and some may resemble one of the sempervivum species .
When palm an obscure plant life you suspect to be lush hen - and - doll , use concern and care .
Wear horticulture baseball mitt before touch any verdure when grooming or transplanting .
Wearing long - sleeved shirts and avoiding loose - fitting article of clothing also helps prevent tegument contact .
Avoid burning any strange flora , as this may put out toxic smoke into the air .
With these precautions , you reduce the risk of infection of exposure to toxic substances just in case the plant is n’t a non - toxic biddy - and - doll plant life .
