Common Mouse-ear Plant Care

Common Mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Cerastium genus. Common Mouse-ear is native to Europe. Common Mouse-ear is also known as Water Chickweed, Greater Mouse-ear.

Common 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. Common Mouse-ear produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Common 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.

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

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

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Common 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.

Common 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.

Common 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 Common 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.

Common 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.

Common 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.

Common 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.

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