Chinese Starwort Plant Care
Stellaria chinensis Regel
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stellaria chinensis is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Xenophoridae, the carrier shells.
Every 2–3 days
Part shade to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Chinese Starwort?
Water Chinese Starwort every 2–3 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it part shade to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity.
What Is the Chinese Starwort?
Chinese Starwort (Stellaria chinensis) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Stellaria genus.
Chinese Starwort displays a low-growing, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Chinese Starwort produces small white flowers with 5 deeply notched petals.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chinese Starwort?
Stellaria chinensis requires watering every 2–3 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 2–3 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Chinese Starwort Need?
Chinese Starwort thrives in part shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Chinese Starwort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Part shade to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chinese Starwort Prefer?
Stellaria chinensis grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Chinese Starwort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chinese Starwort?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Starwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Chinese Starwort?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in 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 Chinese Starwort?
Chinese Starwort can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to smallflower starwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Chinese Starwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Chinese Starwort, 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 Chinese Starwort?
Chinese Starwort is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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 Chinese Starwort Need?
Chinese Starwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Chinese Starwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Chinese Starwort 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 Stellaria genus — compare its care with other Stellaria species on PlantoScan.
Stellaria is part of the Caryophyllaceae plant family — browse all Caryophyllaceae genera and species.
Chinese Starwort copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Stellaria Species
Other Stellaria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Stellaria chinensis Regel, family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 35(I): 283 (1862)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Chinese Starwort, 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 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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