Fire Pink Plant Care
Silene virginica L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Silene virginica, the fire pink, is a perennial wildflower native to eastern and central North America that belongs to the pink family, Caryophyllaceae. Fire pink, known for its distinct, brilliant-red flowers, begins blooming in late spring and stays in bloom throughout the summer.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Fire Pink?
Fire Pink grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Fire Pink Native To?
What Is the Fire Pink?
Fire Pink (Silene virginica) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Silene genus. Fire Pink is native to eastern and central North America that belongs to the pink family, Caryophyllaceae. Fire Pink is also known as Catchfly.
Fire Pink displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Fire Pink produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.
What Light Does the Fire Pink Need?
Fire Pink thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fire Pink?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Fire Pink to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Fire Pink?
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 Fire Pink?
Fire Pink can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine catchfly plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Fire Pink Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Fire Pink, 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 Fire Pink?
Fire Pink 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
Fire Pink 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.
Fire Pink 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 virginica L., family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 419 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Fire Pink, 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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