Image: AI generated
White Campion Plant Care
Silene latifolia subsp. alba (Mill.) Greuter & Burdet
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its large, white flowers that stand out against its green foliage. Originating from Europe and Asia, Silene latifolia subsp. alba is highly sought after by plant collectors for its elegant and striking appearance in the garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for White Campion?
Water White Campion every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the White Campion Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- 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 White Campion?
White Campion (Silene latifolia subsp. alba) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Silene genus. White Campion is native to Europe. White Campion is also known as Broad-leaved Catchfly, White Balsam, Corn Campion.
White Campion displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. White Campion produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a White Campion?
Silene latifolia subsp. alba requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the White Campion Need?
White Campion thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the White Campion Prefer?
Silene latifolia subsp. alba grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. White Campion prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a White Campion?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for White Campion to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a White Campion?
Feed White 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 White 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 White Campion?
White Campion can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine catchfly plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the White Campion Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list White 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 White Campion?
White 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 White Campion Need?
White Campion grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. White Campion is native to Europe.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
White 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.
White 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 latifolia subsp. alba (Mill.) Greuter & Burdet, family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Willdenowia 12: 189 (1982)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list White 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.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 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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