Starwort chickweed Plant Care
Stellaria homotricha Bég.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its lance-shaped leaves covered in soft, dense hairs, this plant hails from the mountains of Western North America. Plant collectors are drawn to its unique foliage texture and its ability to thrive in rocky, alpine environments.
Every 2–3 days
Part shade to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Starwort chickweed?
Water Starwort chickweed 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. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Starwort chickweed Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Starwort chickweed?
Starwort chickweed (Stellaria homotricha) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Stellaria genus. Starwort chickweed is native to Europe. Starwort chickweed is also known as common starwort, smooth starwort.
Starwort chickweed displays a low-growing, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Starwort chickweed produces small white flowers with 5 deeply notched petals.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Starwort chickweed?
Stellaria homotricha 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 Starwort chickweed Need?
Starwort chickweed thrives in part shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Starwort chickweed 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 Starwort chickweed Prefer?
Stellaria homotricha grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Starwort chickweed prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Starwort chickweed?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Starwort chickweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Starwort chickweed?
Feed Starwort chickweed every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Starwort chickweed?
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 Starwort chickweed?
Starwort chickweed can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to smallflower starwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Starwort chickweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Starwort chickweed, 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 Starwort chickweed?
Starwort chickweed 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 Starwort chickweed Need?
Starwort chickweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Starwort chickweed is native to Europe. In cooler regions, grow Starwort chickweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Starwort chickweed 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.
Starwort chickweed 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 homotricha Bég., family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. , n.s., 17: 385 (1910)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Starwort chickweed, 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.
