Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Sempervivum gold nugget plants, also known as chick charms gold nugget, chick charms succulents, gold nugget succulent, or golden nugget hens and chicks, are succulent plants with unique shapes and textures that make them one of the most sought-after succulents in cultivation today.
This plant has slightly flattened leaves, with star-shaped rosettes of long pointed leaves, covered in white powder which makes them look like they’re covered in snow. The base color of the leaves ranges from olive green to yellow-green depending on the variety.
Chick Charms Gold Nugget is the perfect gift for that special someone in your life!
Most people just call them Succulents, which is a general term used to describe plants that have thick, fleshy leaves and stems that store water, allowing them to survive long periods of drought with very little care needed by the owner.
This succulent, commonly known as golden nugget hen and chicks, will provide years of enjoyment, from its unique and charming shape to its beautiful colors. The Sempervivum Gold Nugget also makes an excellent gift or birthday present, and you can also brighten up your home or office with this awesome succulent!
Origin and distribution
The Sempervivum gold nugget (chick charms gold nugget) originates from Turkey and southern Europe and is common in gardens throughout Europe and North America. Chick charms are a spreading ground cover with reddish stems on which grow small rosettes of pointed leaves that stay green year-round.
In late spring or early summer, chick charms produce tiny white flowers that are often hidden among their foliage. In fall or winter, chick charms produce bright red berries. Chick charms are not frost tolerant so it must be grown indoors as a houseplant in cold climates or used as an annual outdoors where temperatures drop below freezing.
Sempervivum gold nugget is easy to propagate by separating offsets from mother plants or by rooting cuttings taken in late spring. It grows best in well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate partial shade.
Plants should be watered regularly during hot weather but allowed to dry out between waterings during cooler months. Fertilize chick charms once per month with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Prune plants back hard after flowering to keep them compact and promote bushiness.
Sempervivum gold nugget propagation
Plant your sempervivum gold nugget in any well-draining soil. Water only when it feels dry to the touch, once every two weeks. It is a good idea to put some sand or a layer of rocks on top of your soil to keep it from getting too wet while keeping excess water from going all over your floor.
You can also place your potted chick charms succulents outside during the summer months and bring them inside during the winter months. You may have to take extra care if you live in an area that experiences extreme temperatures during the winter months.
Sempervivum gold nugget are hardy plants but they do not like freezing cold weather. If you plan on bringing your plants indoors for winter make sure they are acclimated first. This means leaving them outside for several days before bringing them inside so they can adjust to colder temperatures gradually.
If you don’t give your chick charms succulents enough time to adjust to colder temperatures they could freeze and die.
Sempervivum gold nugget care information
Most succulents are native to arid climates and do not require a lot of water. In fact, overwatering is one of their biggest killers. However, Sempervivum gold nugget does require some care.
They should be watered often enough that their soil is completely saturated by water in order to prevent dehydration, but not so much that it runs out onto your floor or table below them. Overwatering can also lead to root rot which may cause plant death.
Light requirement
Sempervivum gold nugget are succulents, that require bright light. Your new baby gold nugget plants need 8-10 hours of full sunlight each day. East or west-facing windows will work well; be sure not to put them in a window that’s exposed to strong afternoon sun as they may suffer from sunburn.
As an added precaution, you can use a sheer curtain to filter out any additional light and heat they may receive in your windowsill growing area.
You can also grow your Sempervivum gold nugget indoors by keeping it on a windowsill where it will get indirect sunlight and plenty of air circulation. If you do choose to grow indoors, be sure to place it in an area that doesn’t get too hot; otherwise, you risk damaging your plant!
Soil/potting mix
Sempervivum gold nugget likes to be evenly moist. Since they’re succulents, they need fast-draining soil. But since they’re perennials, too much water will kill them.
We suggest using a 50-50 mix of pumice and potting soil with a slow-release fertilizer. Pumice is super-fast draining, so even if you forget to water for a week or two, your hens and chicks should be fine!
Watering
Sempervivum gold nugget succulents are generally quite hardy and can survive with infrequent watering. The only time you should ever water them is if they are in extreme heat or drought conditions. In fact, letting your plant go dry is actually better for its health than watering it more frequently, so don’t overwater!
A general rule of thumb is to keep it moist when growing, but let it dry out a bit before watering again. This will help prevent root rot.
Fertilizer
It may surprise you to learn that your Sempervivum does not require fertilizer. In fact, fertilizer is generally not necessary for most succulents and cacti. That said, it can still be useful when growing your Sempervivum indoors or in areas where natural soil or dirt isn’t available.
To fertilize, sprinkle a small amount of multipurpose fertilizer on top of your soil. Do not water after applying fertilizer, as doing so will wash away nutrients. Fertilizer should only be applied once every two months at most.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for sempervivum gold nugget is 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when temperatures reach below freezing and you notice all of your sempervivums have died back, it’s best to wait until spring to replant them.
If you live in a colder climate or want to keep your plant year-round, use a grow light to help maintain proper temperature levels. If using a grow light is not an option, try placing your plant near a sunny window during the winter months.
Humidity
Sempervivum gold nugget or houseleeks need to be stored with about 50% humidity. The easiest way to accomplish that is by placing them in a pot and filling it with gravel and water up to an inch from the top of your pot. Covering your pots with plastic wrap or a plastic bag will help, too.
Pruning
As with any houseplant, you may need to prune a Sempervivum gold nugget from time to time. Do so in early spring before it starts to grow for best results. If its bottom leaves are yellow or dead, simply pinch them off at ground level.
However, if there’s no need for such drastic measures, cut just a few of its top leaves back instead. This will force new ones to grow and make your plant look fuller faster. And since Sempervivums typically bloom in summer, you can trim away some of those flowering stems as well.
Just be sure not to cut too many, you want plenty left over to attract pollinators!
When to repot
Sempervivum can be repotted in spring or summer. Repotting Sempervivum gold nugget is actually a bit trickier than you’d think and is best left to those with experience growing them. Because of their fragile roots, it’s better to repot only one or two plants at a time and wait until they have produced new growth before repotting again.
In general, sempervivums should be repotted every year or two. If your plant has grown too large for its pot, don’t worry; just remove some of its old soil so that it sits on top of fresh soil rather than being buried by it. Be sure to use a pot that has drainage holes in its bottom so that excess water can drain away easily.
Dormancy/Winter rest
This may not be something you have to worry about with your Sempervivum plant, but if you live in a particularly cold area and don’t want to lose your collection entirely, digging up your plants and putting them in a cool, dry place during winter can prevent any damage from occurring.
This is also referred to as dormancy or winter rest. Be sure not to overwater when you put your plants away for winter. They should only need enough water to keep their leaves plump and green. If they begin to shrivel, then it means they need more water than what you are giving them.
Sempervivum gold nugget flower & fragrance
Sempervivum gold nugget chick charms bloom in fall, position it near your entryway so that its fragrance wafts up as people enter your home. The flowers are golden yellow with green-striped centers and grow on thin stems from 2 to 3 inches long.
The color of the flowers matches their leaves perfectly and is especially eye-catching when they’re paired with other sempervivums. The blooms are followed by small black berries that persist into winter.
Growth rate
Sempervivum gold nugget grows slowly and is more like a perennial rather than an annual. It does grow, but not at a fast rate as other hens and chicks plants. This can take about 5 to 6 weeks for new growth to appear after planting.
You will see old leaves starting to wither and fall off, which means it’s time to trim your Sempervivum Golden Nugget plant.
Toxicity
Sempervivum gold nuggets are non-toxic and safe to use in gardens. Chicks need to be babied a bit, but if you keep them watered, they’ll grow quickly. After that, they’re hardy enough to survive just about anything your garden can throw at them. They do best in sunny locations with well-drained soil.
USDA hardiness zones
Sempervivum gold nugget thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. In colder climates, it can be grown as an annual. In warmer areas, it can be grown as a perennial. It is best to plant chick charms gold nugget in full sun and well-drained soil.
Plants should be spaced 6 inches apart when planting directly into your garden. When growing sempervivum as a houseplant, they should be planted in containers with drainage holes and kept outdoors during warm months and indoors during cold months.
Pests and diseases
Sempervivum gold nugget’s main pests are slugs, snails, and fungal infections. Diseases that can affect Sempervivum are rust and rots. Their larvae eat on its leaves as well. It is also susceptible to virus diseases like a yellow mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, papaya ring spot virus, Tobacco Mosaic Virus, and many others.
Conclusion
Every time I’ve added Sempervivum gold nugget to my garden, it’s always been a fun surprise to see how fast and lush they became. Golden nugget hens and chicks are one of my favorites of all sempervivum because it looks so beautiful, and best of all, you don’t have to go out of your way to encourage or grow their growth!
