Ear-leaved Campion Plant Care
Silene otitis St.-Lag.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Silene otitis, also known as the Spanish catchfly, is characterized by its striking red flowers with delicate white petals. Originating from the Mediterranean region, this plant is sought after by collectors for its unique flowers and ability to attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Ear-leaved Campion?
Water Ear-leaved Campion 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 65–75°F (18–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Ear-leaved Campion 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 Ear-leaved Campion?
Ear-leaved Campion (Silene otitis) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Silene genus. Ear-leaved Campion is native to Europe and the Transcaucasus area, and introduced to Xinjiang in China. Ear-leaved Campion is also known as Spanish Catchfly.
Ear-leaved Campion displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately . Ear-leaved Campion produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Ear-leaved Campion?
Silene otitis 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 Ear-leaved Campion Need?
Ear-leaved Campion thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ear-leaved Campion Prefer?
Silene otitis grows best at temperatures of 65–75°F. Ear-leaved Campion prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ear-leaved Campion?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Ear-leaved Campion to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Ear-leaved Campion?
Feed Ear-leaved Campion 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 Ear-leaved 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 Ear-leaved Campion?
Ear-leaved Campion can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine catchfly plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Ear-leaved Campion Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Ear-leaved 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 Ear-leaved Campion?
Ear-leaved 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 Ear-leaved Campion Need?
Ear-leaved Campion grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Ear-leaved Campion is native to Europe and the Transcaucasus area, and introduced to Xinjiang in China.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Ear-leaved 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.
Ear-leaved 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 otitis St.-Lag., family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Ann. Soc. Bot. Lyon vii. (1880) 134.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ear-leaved 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 8b, 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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