Maltese Cross Plant Care
Silene coronaria (L.) Clairv.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Silene coronaria, the rose campion, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to Eurasia. Other common names include dusty miller, mullein-pink and bloody William.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Maltese Cross?
Maltese Cross grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Maltese Cross?
Maltese Cross (Silene coronaria) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Silene genus. Maltese Cross is native to Eurasia. Maltese Cross is also known as Campion, Rose Campion, Catchfly.
Maltese Cross displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Maltese Cross produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.
What Light Does the Maltese Cross Need?
Maltese Cross thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Maltese Cross?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Maltese Cross to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Maltese Cross?
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 Maltese Cross?
Maltese Cross can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine catchfly plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Maltese Cross Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Maltese Cross, 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 Maltese Cross?
Maltese Cross 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.
Keep exploring plants
Maltese Cross 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.
Maltese Cross 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 coronaria (L.) Clairv., family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Man. Herbor. Suisse : 145 (1811)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Maltese Cross, 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.
- 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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