Starry Campion Plant Care
Silene stellata W.T.Aiton
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Silene stellata, known by the common names starry campion, widow's frill, and whorled catchfly, is a perennial herbaceous summer forb with white flowers, native to the central and eastern United States. It grows in habitats such as forests, river flats, and tall grass prairies.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Starry Campion?
Starry Campion grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Starry Campion Native To?
What Is the Starry Campion?
Starry Campion (Silene stellata) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Silene genus. Starry Campion is native to the central and eastern United States.
Starry Campion displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Starry Campion produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.
What Light Does the Starry Campion Need?
Starry Campion thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Starry Campion?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Starry Campion to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Starry 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 Starry Campion?
Starry Campion can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine catchfly plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Starry Campion Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Starry 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 Starry Campion?
Starry 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.
Keep exploring plants
Starry 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.
Starry 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 stellata W.T.Aiton, family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Hortus Kew. 3: 84 (1811)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Starry 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.
- 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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