Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
French Catchfly Plant Care
Silene gallica L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Silene gallica boasts unique lance-shaped leaves with a distinctive silver-green coloration, adding a touch of elegance to any garden. Originating from Europe and North Africa, this plant is highly sought after by collectors for its delicate pink flowers that bloom in clusters, attracting pollinators and adding a splash of color to the landscape.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for French Catchfly?
Water French Catchfly every 7–14 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.
What Is the French Catchfly?
French Catchfly (Silene gallica) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Silene genus. French Catchfly is native to Eurasia and North Africa. French Catchfly is also known as Common Small-flowered Catchfly, Small-flowered Catchfly.
French Catchfly displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. French Catchfly produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a French Catchfly?
Silene gallica requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the French Catchfly Need?
French Catchfly thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the French Catchfly Prefer?
Silene gallica grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. French Catchfly prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a French Catchfly?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for French Catchfly to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a French Catchfly?
Feed French 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 French 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 French Catchfly?
French Catchfly can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine catchfly plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the French Catchfly Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list French 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 French Catchfly?
French 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 French Catchfly Need?
French Catchfly grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. French Catchfly is native to Eurasia and North Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
French 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.
French 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 gallica L., family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 417 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list French 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: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
French Catchfly Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species