Photo: Dawid JuszczakCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Spanish Catchfly Plant Care
Silene otites (L.) Wibel
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its fuzzy, gray-green leaves and delicate white flowers, this plant originates from Europe and the Mediterranean region. Silene otites is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique appearance and its ability to attract butterflies and bees to the garden.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Spanish Catchfly?
Water Spanish 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 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Spanish Catchfly Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- China
- 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 Spanish Catchfly?
Spanish Catchfly (Silene otites) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Silene genus. Spanish Catchfly is native to Europe and the Transcaucasus area, and introduced to Xinjiang in China. Spanish Catchfly is also known as Spanish Campion.
Spanish Catchfly displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately . Spanish Catchfly produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Spanish Catchfly?
Silene otites 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 Spanish Catchfly Need?
Spanish Catchfly thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Spanish Catchfly Prefer?
Silene otites grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Spanish Catchfly prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spanish Catchfly?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Spanish Catchfly to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Spanish Catchfly?
Feed Spanish Catchfly every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Spanish 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 Spanish Catchfly?
Spanish Catchfly can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine catchfly plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Spanish Catchfly Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Spanish 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 Spanish Catchfly?
Spanish 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 Spanish Catchfly Need?
Spanish Catchfly grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Spanish Catchfly is native to Europe and the Transcaucasus area, and introduced to Xinjiang in China.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Spanish 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.
Spanish 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 otites (L.) Wibel, family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Prim. Fl. Werth. 241 1799) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Spanish 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: Dawid Juszczak, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 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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