Overview

Jovibarba heuffelii is a matforming cactus succulent in the genus Jovibarba, part of the Crassulaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.2 metres tall. Jovibarba heuffelii grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough and alpine house.

About

Jovibarba heuffelii, common name hen-and-chickens, is a plant species native to the Balkans and to the Carpathians in Europe but reportedly naturalized in Wisconsin and probably in other parts of North America. It grows on rocky outcrops. Jovibarba heuffelii is a perennial herb forming basal rosettes of succulent leaves that are ciliate along the margins. Flowering stalks are erect, succulent, up to 20 cm (8 inches) tall, bearing a cyme of up to 40 white to yellowish flowers. Grow it in full sun and loam and sand soil. In UK gardens it is hardy through an average UK winter (RHS H4). It works well for rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough and alpine house. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained conditions and south-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant in very well-drained, gritty compost. Full sun.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Jovibarba heuffelii

About the genus

Jovibarba is a small genus of three species of succulent flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae, endemic to mountainous regions in the southeastern quadrant of Europe. The genus is sometimes classified as a subgenus of Sempervivum, to which it is closely related. Jovibarba have pale-greenish-yellow or yellow actinomorphic flowers with about six petals, while Sempervivum have generally pinkish flowers with around twice as many petals, which open more widely than jovibarba flowers.

Wikipedia contributors, "Jovibarba", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Jovibarba

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Jovibarba

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Jovibarba heuffelii size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Cactus Succulent

Habit

Matforming

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

0.2 metres

Suggested uses

Rock garden, scree bed, wall crevice, trough, alpine house

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Jovibarba heuffelii

Propagation

Offsets in spring or summer

Pest resistance

Vine weevil

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions