Alpine Mouse-ear Plant Care

Alpine Mouse-ear (Cerastium alpinum) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Cerastium genus. Alpine Mouse-ear is native to Greenland, Canada and northern Europe. Alpine Mouse-ear is also known as Alpine Chickweed.

Alpine Mouse-ear displays a low mat-forming groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Alpine Mouse-ear produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Alpine Mouse-ear every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Alpine Mouse-ear thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cerastium alpinum tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Alpine Mouse-ear prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Alpine Mouse-ear to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Alpine Mouse-ear is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Alpine Mouse-ear can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Alpine Mouse-ear while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Alpine Mouse-ear is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Alpine Mouse-ear can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to small-flowered mouse-ear plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Alpine Mouse-ear is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Alpine Mouse-ear grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Alpine Mouse-ear is native to Greenland, Canada and northern Europe. In cooler regions, grow Alpine Mouse-ear as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.