Photo: Steven BodzinCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Annual Catchfly Plant Care
Silene antirrhina L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its long, slender leaves covered in fine hairs and delicate pink flowers resembling tiny trumpets, this plant originates from the Mediterranean region. Its distinctive appearance and rarity make it highly sought after by plant collectors looking to add unique and visually striking specimens to their collections.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Annual Catchfly?
Water Annual Catchfly 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 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Annual Catchfly Native To?
- Albania
- Argentina
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Nicaragua
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
What Is the Annual Catchfly?
Annual Catchfly (Silene antirrhina) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Silene genus. Annual Catchfly is native to the Americas and has been introduced to Europe. Annual Catchfly is also known as Pink Catchfly.
Annual Catchfly displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Annual Catchfly produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Annual Catchfly?
Silene antirrhina 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 Catchfly Need?
Annual Catchfly thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Annual Catchfly Prefer?
Silene antirrhina grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Annual Catchfly prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Annual Catchfly?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Annual Catchfly to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Annual Catchfly?
Feed Annual Catchfly every 2 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 2 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 Catchfly?
Repot every 1-2 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 Annual Catchfly?
Annual Catchfly can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine catchfly plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Annual Catchfly Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Annual Catchfly, 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 Catchfly?
Annual Catchfly is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leaf miners. 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 Catchfly Need?
Annual Catchfly grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Annual Catchfly is native to the Americas and has been introduced to Europe.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Annual Catchfly 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 Silene genus — compare its care with other Silene species on PlantoScan.
Silene is part of the Caryophyllaceae plant family — browse all Caryophyllaceae genera and species.
Annual Catchfly thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Silene Species
Other Silene species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Silene antirrhina L., family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 419 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Annual Catchfly, 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: Steven Bodzin, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 9b, 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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