Sempervivum tectorum
Part Used: Fresh leaves
Historical Reference
This little succulent has been a favorite since ancient times. The plant itself originates in the mountains of Europe and the Greek Islands, but it soon traveled across Europe, most likely due to popular mythology as much as natural circumstance.
M. Grieve tells us in A Modern Herbal that "The generic name Sempervivum, from the Latin semper (always) and vivo (I live), refers to its retention of vitality under almost all conditions, and the specific name tectorum bears witness to its usual place of growth - a roof." But the herb's common names speak to the esteem in which it was held by people at large.
The Romans grew it in vases at the entrance to homes for prosperity, and to show esteem to the Gods it represented, ensuring they look upon the homes and their inhabitants with favor.
The association of this herb with Jupiter and Thor, Gods associated with storms, fire and lightening, tied in with the belief that the herb would act as a protection against these events. Eventually the custom of planting the tenacious little plant on rooftops, where it seemed to thrive, prevailed for centuries across Wales, England, France and much of Europe. Grieve tells us that "Superstitious country-folk in Wiltshire are often found to have a strong objection to the removal of a plant of Houseleek from their roof, or even to the plucking of the flowers by a stranger, believing it will bring death to the dwellers; it was formerly believed to be an efficient guard against sorcery as well as against lightning."
Medicinal Use
Hens and Chicks can be used much like a weak version of Aloe Vera. The bruised or torn leaves can be applied to burns, skin inflammations, etc. for relief of burning and inflammatory swelling. If you have Aloe, us it...if not, this makes a good runner up!
Folklore says it will remove warts and corns.
While some sources do list this plant as a 'green herb' or one cabable of being ingested, be cautioned that in large doses it (or the juice of the leaves) can be emetic and purgative.
Gardening with Hens and Chicks
Well, in today's garden it might be difficult for most of us to grow this on our roof! But it remains an attractive, easy care evergreen succulent in Zones 5-10, and can actually stand some drought. It does very well in rock gardens, along old walls, edging pathways or any place you'd like an interesting plant in a dry, 'difficult to grow in' area. When it finds ideal conditions, it will spread rapidly by offshoots which can be left to form an attractive matting of plants, or rooted separately for use in other parts of the garden.
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