Spalding's Catchfly Plant Care
Silene spaldingii S.Watson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Silene spaldingii is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae known by the common names Spalding's silene, Spalding's catchfly and Spalding's campion. It is native to eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, northern Idaho and northern Montana, where its distribution extends just into British Columbia, Canada.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Spalding's Catchfly?
Spalding's Catchfly grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Spalding's Catchfly Native To?
What Is the Spalding's Catchfly?
Spalding's Catchfly (Silene spaldingii) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Silene genus. Spalding's Catchfly is native to eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, northern Idaho and northern Montana. Spalding's Catchfly is also known as Spalding's Campion.
Spalding's Catchfly displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Spalding's Catchfly produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.
What Light Does the Spalding's Catchfly Need?
Spalding's Catchfly thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spalding's Catchfly?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Spalding's Catchfly to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Spalding'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 Spalding's Catchfly?
Spalding'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 Spalding's Catchfly Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Spalding'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 Spalding's Catchfly?
Spalding'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.
Keep exploring plants
Spalding'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.
Spalding'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 spaldingii S.Watson, family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 10: 344 (1875)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Spalding'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.
- 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
Spalding's 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