Siebold's catchfly Plant Care
Silene sieboldii (Van Houtte) H.Ohashi & H.Nakai
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its silvery-gray leaves covered in fine hairs, Silene sieboldii is a show-stopping perennial native to Japan. This unique plant is highly sought after by collectors for its delicate pink, star-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Its striking foliage and vibrant blooms make it a standout addition to any garden or collection.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Siebold's catchfly?
Water Siebold's catchfly every 3–7 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 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Siebold's catchfly Native To?
What Is the Siebold's catchfly?
Siebold's catchfly (Silene sieboldii) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Silene genus. Siebold's catchfly is native to southeastern Siberia, most of China, and North Korea, and it has been introduced to Mongolia and Japan. Siebold's catchfly is also known as Lychnis sieboldii.
Siebold's catchfly displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Siebold's catchfly produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Siebold's catchfly?
Silene sieboldii requires watering every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Siebold's catchfly Need?
Siebold's catchfly thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Siebold's catchfly Prefer?
Silene sieboldii grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Siebold's catchfly prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Siebold's catchfly?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Siebold's catchfly to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Siebold's catchfly?
Feed Siebold's 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 Siebold's 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 Siebold's catchfly?
Siebold's catchfly can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine catchfly plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Siebold's catchfly Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Siebold's 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 Siebold's catchfly?
Siebold's 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 Siebold's catchfly Need?
Siebold's catchfly grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Siebold's catchfly is native to southeastern Siberia, most of China, and North Korea, and it has been introduced to Mongolia and Japan.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Siebold's 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.
Siebold's 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 sieboldii (Van Houtte) H.Ohashi & H.Nakai, family Caryophyllaceae (first published in J. Jap. Bot. 71: 270 (1996)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Siebold's 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.
- 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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