Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Silene or Catchfly

The genus Silene, family Caryophyllaceae, comprises 300 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants native to Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. Some species are: Silene acaulis, Silene pendula, Silene saxifraga, Silene pseudoatocion, Silene coeli-rosa, Silene gigantea, Silene hifacensis, Silene fruticosa, Silene maritima, Silene schafta.

Common names: Campion plant, Catchfly.

They are herbaceous plants with elongated or oval leaves, deep green, hairy and slightly slimy. The flowers are star-shaped, 5-petalled, and can be white, light pink, salmon, or dark pink. They bloom in spring and fall.

Catchfly is used in pots and planters and in flowerbeds, borders, rockery and flowery walls.

Silene needs full sun or semi-shade exposure.

Campion plant can grow in normal garden soil with 15% coarse sand to improve drainage.

Always water moderately, waiting until the soil has dried.

Prune the stems of faded flowers.

Fertilize every 15 days with mineral fertilizer during the flowering season.

Silene is a quite resistant plant to common pests and diseases in gardens.

Catchfly is propagated in autumn or spring by division or from seeds sown in late winter; they easily self-propagate.

Images of the plant Silene or Catchfly