Why did my hens and chicks change color?

Question

When I first purchased the hen and chicks plant it was green. It was indoors when I bought it. There was one hen and about 8 chicks and all were healthy. Some time after the plant was put in the garden it turned a reddish color. It has been outdoors for a year. The hen is now growing a long “neck” upwards. The chicks have taken root but seem to be about the same size they were when first purchased. Why did it turn red? Is something wrong with it? It gets full sun. It’s close to a few big rocks (about a foot tall). I tried to “amend” the soil by mixing lots of sand in, and dug almost a foot deep first and put rocks down and then the sandy soil. Myra in Seattle WA. I’m sorry but I am not able to give you a photo.

Answer 1

Red coloration can be a sign of stress, but not necessarily distress. How much color change depends the species or cultivar, the season, the temperature, water availability, and the amount of sunlight. Many varieties can turn very red, and were selected for that genetic trait. As long as your plants ‘continue to grow nicely and to proliferate impressively’, there is nothing to worry about.