What's eating my hens and chicks?

Hens and chicks (Sempervivum) is a hardy alpine succulent with few serious pest problems. Mealybugs are the most common indoor threat, hiding between the tight rosette leaves. Outdoors, vine weevil grubs can destroy roots and slugs occasionally graze young chicks. Root rot from overwatering is more likely than any pest.

White cottony masses deep inside the rosette; leaves shrivel and plant loses vigour Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab between the leaves; drench with diluted neem oil

Grubs sever roots; rosettes detach easily from the soil and plant suddenly dies Apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to outdoor beds in autumn; inspect roots when dividing

Irregular holes chewed in young offsets ('chicks'); slime trails visible in the morning Remove by hand at night; use iron phosphate pellets (pet-safe) around the planting area