Photo: Patrick HackerCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Berry Campion Plant Care
Silene baccifera Roth
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Silene baccifera, also known as the Cretan Catchfly, is a unique plant with small, round leaves that have a striking silver-green color. This plant is native to the Mediterranean region and is popular among plant enthusiasts for its delicate appearance and ability to attract butterflies.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Berry Campion?
Water Berry 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 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Berry Campion Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Berry Campion?
Berry Campion (Silene baccifera) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Silene genus. Berry Campion is native to Europe. Berry Campion is also known as Sticky Campion.
Berry Campion displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Berry Campion produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Berry Campion?
Silene baccifera 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 Berry Campion Need?
Berry Campion thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Berry Campion Prefer?
Silene baccifera grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Berry Campion prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Berry Campion?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Berry Campion to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Berry Campion?
Feed Berry Campion 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 Berry Campion?
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 Berry Campion?
Berry Campion can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine catchfly plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Berry Campion Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Berry 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 Berry Campion?
Berry Campion 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 Berry Campion Need?
Berry Campion grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Berry Campion is native to Europe.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Berry 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 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.
Berry Campion 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 baccifera Roth, family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Fl. Bourgogne 1: 260 (1782)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Berry 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.
- Photo: Patrick Hacker, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 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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