Japanese Campion Plant Care
Lychnis cognata Maxim.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Silene cognata, the orange campion or orange catchfly, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to eastern and northern China, the Korean Peninsula, and Primorsky Krai in Russia. In the wild it is found in a wide variety of habitats, from 500 to 2000 m above sea level.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Japanese Campion?
Water Japanese Campion every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Japanese Campion?
Japanese Campion (Lychnis cognata) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Lychnis genus. Japanese Campion is native to eastern and northern China, the Korean Peninsula, and Primorsky Krai in Russia.
Japanese Campion displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Japanese Campion produces showy clusters of pink, red, or white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Japanese Campion?
Lychnis cognata requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Japanese Campion Need?
Japanese Campion thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Japanese Campion Prefer?
Lychnis cognata grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Japanese Campion prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Japanese Campion?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Japanese Campion to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Japanese Campion?
Feed Japanese Campion every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Japanese Campion?
Divide and replant every 3-4 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Japanese Campion?
Japanese Campion can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to siberian lychnis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Japanese Campion Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Japanese Campion, 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 Japanese Campion?
Japanese Campion 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 Japanese Campion Need?
Japanese Campion grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Japanese Campion is native to eastern and northern China, the Korean Peninsula, and Primorsky Krai in Russia. In cooler regions, grow Japanese Campion as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Japanese Campion 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 Lychnis genus — compare its care with other Lychnis species on PlantoScan.
Lychnis is part of the Caryophyllaceae plant family — browse all Caryophyllaceae genera and species.
Japanese Campion thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lychnis cognata Maxim., family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Mém. Acad. Imp. Sci. St.-Pétersbourg Divers Savans 9: 55 (1859)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Japanese Campion, 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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