Moss campion
Silene acaulis · Caryophyllaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant moss campion: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, in dense rosette
- Flowering
- June to August, bright pink flowers
- Adult size
- 2–4 cm in height, 15–20 cm in diameter
- Growth
- Very slow
- Hardiness
- -30 °C and beyond
- Origin
- Arctic and alpine mountains of Eurasia
- Soil type
- Well-draining, gravelly, poor in nutrients
- Exposure
- Full sun
Care
Exposure
Place your cushion pink in full sun, in an open location where it receives at least 6 hours of direct light daily. This alpine plant thrives best in intense light conditions.
Soil and drainage
Use a very well-draining substrate, preferably a mix of ericaceous soil, coarse sand, and gravel. Avoid clay soils or those rich in organic matter, which promote root rot.
Watering
Water moderately during the growing season (spring-summer), allowing it to dry slightly between waterings. In winter, reduce watering drastically. In humid or very rainy climates, protect the plant with a veil or decrease watering.
Fertilization
No fertilizer is needed. This alpine plant has very slow growth and prefers poor soils. Excess nutrients risk causing it to become leggy.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is required. Simply remove spent flowers to encourage longer flowering. Gently remove dead or diseased leaves.
Diseases and pests
The main problem is root rot in overly moist soil. In a very dry and well-aerated environment, it is generally resistant. Watch for occasional aphids indoors or in pots, but it is not particularly susceptible to them.
Did you know?
Cushion pink is one of the highest flowering plants in the Himalayas and Arctic, found beyond 4,500 m elevation. Its ultra-compact cushion form allows it to resist violent winds and extreme cold by creating its own protected microclimate. It grows so slowly that an individual can be several centuries old while measuring only a few centimeters.
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
- Smooth rupturewortHerniaria glabra
- Rock soapwortSaponaria ocymoides
- Snow-in-summerCerastium tomentosum
- Sticky CatchflyViscaria vulgaris
- Creeping baby's breathGypsophila repens
- Mountain sandwortArenaria montana
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.