Red Campion Plant Care

Red Campion (Lychnis diurna) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Lychnis genus. Red Campion is native to Europe and introduced to the Americas. Red Campion is also known as Campion.

Red Campion displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Red Campion produces showy clusters of pink, red, or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Lychnis diurna 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.

Red Campion thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Lychnis diurna grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Red Campion prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Red Campion to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Red 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

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.

Red Campion can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to siberian lychnis plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Red 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.

Red Campion grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Red Campion is native to Europe and introduced to the Americas. In cooler regions, grow Red Campion as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.