Hens and Chicks
Also known as Chickens and Hens, Mother Hens and Chicks. One plant, one grade per pet — the verdicts below are transcribed from primary sources and human-reviewed.
Hens and chicks (Echeveria elegans) is non-toxic to cats (S0 Safe): the ASPCA lists this rosette succulent as safe for cats, dogs, and horses — but note the same nickname is also used for Sempervivum, which our sources don't cover.
FULL VERDICT →Hens and chicks (Echeveria elegans) is non-toxic to dogs (S0 Safe): the ASPCA lists this rosette succulent as safe for dogs, cats, and horses — but the Sempervivum sold under the same name has no entry in our sources.
FULL VERDICT →Care at a glance
When to call the vet
FAQ
Does "hens and chicks" always mean the same plant?
No — the name is shared by two different succulents, and our S0 verdict applies to one of them. The ASPCA's "Hens and Chickens" entry is Echeveria elegans (Crassulaceae), listed as "Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses". The same name is also used for Sempervivum tectorum (houseleek), which neither the ASPCA nor Pet Poison Helpline lists — we don't grade what our sources don't cover. If the tag says Echeveria elegans, this S0 Safe verdict applies to cats and dogs; if it says Sempervivum, our sources do not cover it, so keep it out of reach until you know which plant it is.
How can I distinguish Echeveria elegans from Sempervivum on a hens and chicks plant tag?
Read the scientific name on the tag. This page's S0 Safe verdict for cats and dogs covers Echeveria elegans, the plant in the ASPCA's Hens and Chickens entry, which reads "Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses". A tag that says only "Echeveria" does not name the species, so ask the seller which one it is. A tag that says Sempervivum means a different plant, which neither the ASPCA nor Pet Poison Helpline lists, so we do not grade it.