Paradox Catchfly Plant Care
Silene paradoxa L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Silene paradoxa, the Dover catchfly, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to southeastern France, Corsica, Italy, the former Yugoslavia, Albania, and Greece. It can grow on serpentine soils and copper mine tailings.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Paradox Catchfly?
Paradox Catchfly grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Paradox Catchfly?
Paradox Catchfly (Silene paradoxa) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Silene genus. Paradox Catchfly is native to southeastern France, Corsica, Italy, the former Yugoslavia, Albania, and Greece.
Paradox Catchfly displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Paradox Catchfly produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.
What Light Does the Paradox Catchfly Need?
Paradox Catchfly thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Paradox Catchfly?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Paradox Catchfly to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Paradox 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 Paradox Catchfly?
Paradox Catchfly can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine catchfly plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Paradox Catchfly Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Paradox 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 Paradox Catchfly?
Paradox 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.
Keep exploring plants
Paradox 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.
Paradox 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 paradoxa L., family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. ed. 2 : 1673 (1763)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Paradox 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.
- 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
Paradox 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