Field chickweed
Cerastium arvense · Caryophyllaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant field chickweed: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Persistent, finely pubescent
- Flowering
- April to June
- Adult size
- 15 to 30 cm tall, spreading habit
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20 °C)
- Origin
- Europe, temperate Asia, North Africa
- Soil type
- Well-draining, poor to moderate
Care
Light
Mouse-ear chickweed prefers a sunny or semi-shaded position. In full sun, it flowers more abundantly and maintains a more compact habit. It tolerates well-ventilated and rocky exposures.
Watering
Water moderately, especially during establishment. This plant tolerates dry conditions well once established. In pots, allow the substrate to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid excess moisture, which promotes rot.
Soil
Choose well-draining soil, even if poor or rocky. Mouse-ear chickweed appreciates chalky soils. Improve drainage by adding sand or gravel if the ground retains too much water.
Pruning
Light pruning after flowering (June) encourages branching and densifies the habit. Pinch young shoots in spring to encourage bushy development. Clean up dead or damaged parts in late winter.
Fertilising
Mouse-ear chickweed is undemanding. A light application of balanced fertiliser in spring is quite sufficient. Avoid excess, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowers.
Diseases and pests
This hardy plant is rarely affected. Excessive moisture can cause root or fungal rot. Ensure good drainage and air circulation. Check for red spider mites in very dry conditions.
Did you know?
Mouse-ear chickweed, once very common in European cereal fields, has declined with agricultural intensification and herbicide use. It remains, however, a wildflower appreciated by gardeners, particularly in rock gardens and borders, for its abundant white flowering that brightens slopes and arid areas in spring.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Mountain sandwortArenaria montana
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.