Photo: Алёна ОсиповаCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Annual Knawel Plant Care
Scleranthus annuus L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With tiny, needle-like leaves densely packed along wiry stems, this plant hails from Europe and Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to its unique appearance and low-growing, mat-forming habit, making it a sought-after addition to rock gardens and alpine plant collections.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Annual Knawel?
Water Annual Knawel 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 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Annual Knawel Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Tunisia
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Annual Knawel?
Annual Knawel (Scleranthus annuus) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Scleranthus genus. Annual Knawel is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and. Annual Knawel is also known as German Knotgrass.
Annual Knawel displays a low mat-forming growth habit, reaching up to 0.1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Annual Knawel produces tiny greenish flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 0.2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Annual Knawel?
Scleranthus annuus 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 Annual Knawel Need?
Annual Knawel thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Annual Knawel Prefer?
Scleranthus annuus grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Annual Knawel prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Annual Knawel?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Annual Knawel to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Annual Knawel?
Feed Annual Knawel every 8 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 8 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 Annual Knawel?
Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Annual Knawel?
Annual Knawel can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to perennial knawel plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Annual Knawel Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Annual Knawel, 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 Annual Knawel?
Annual Knawel is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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 Annual Knawel Need?
Annual Knawel grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Annual Knawel is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Annual Knawel 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 Scleranthus genus — compare its care with other Scleranthus species on PlantoScan.
Scleranthus is part of the Caryophyllaceae plant family — browse all Caryophyllaceae genera and species.
Annual Knawel 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: Scleranthus annuus L., family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 406 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Annual Knawel, 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.
- Photo: Алёна Осипова, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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