Alpine Mouse-ear Plant Care
Cerastium nigrescens (H.C.Watson) H.C.Watson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cerastium nigrescens var. nigrescens, commonly known as the Shetland mouse-ear, Shetland mouse-eared chickweed or Edmondston's chickweed, is an endemic variety of Arctic Chickweed, Cerastium nigrescens, found in Shetland, Scotland.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Alpine Mouse-ear?
Plant Alpine Mouse-ear in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C).
Where Is the Alpine Mouse-ear Native To?
What Is the Alpine Mouse-ear?
Alpine Mouse-ear (Cerastium nigrescens) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Cerastium genus. Alpine Mouse-ear is native to Shetland, Scotland.
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.
How Often Should You Water a Alpine Mouse-ear?
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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Alpine Mouse-ear Need?
Alpine Mouse-ear thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Alpine Mouse-ear Prefer?
Cerastium nigrescens tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Alpine Mouse-ear prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Alpine Mouse-ear?
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.
Where Should You Plant a Alpine Mouse-ear?
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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Alpine Mouse-ear?
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.
How Do You Prune a Alpine Mouse-ear?
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.
How Do You Care for a Alpine Mouse-ear in Winter?
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.
How Do You Propagate a Alpine Mouse-ear?
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.
Is the Alpine Mouse-ear Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Alpine Mouse-ear, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Alpine Mouse-ear?
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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Alpine Mouse-ear Need?
Alpine Mouse-ear grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Alpine Mouse-ear is native to Shetland, Scotland. In cooler regions, grow Alpine Mouse-ear as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Alpine Mouse-ear is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Cerastium genus — compare its care with other Cerastium species on PlantoScan.
Cerastium is part of the Caryophyllaceae plant family — browse all Caryophyllaceae genera and species.
Alpine Mouse-ear thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Cerastium Species
Other Cerastium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cerastium nigrescens (H.C.Watson) H.C.Watson, family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Cybele Brit. , Suppl. 1, 1: 81 (1860)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Alpine Mouse-ear, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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