Photo: Thomas GyselinckCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Greater Chickweed Plant Care
Stellaria neglecta (Lej.) Weihe
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stellaria neglecta, also known as the Greater Chickweed, is a delicate plant with slender stems and tiny white flowers. It is characterized by its opposite leaves and distinctive five-petaled flowers that bloom in clusters.
Every 2–3 days
Part shade to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Greater Chickweed?
Water Greater 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 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Greater 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 Greater Chickweed?
Greater Chickweed (Stellaria neglecta) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Stellaria genus. Greater Chickweed is native to Europe and Asia. Greater Chickweed is also known as Field Chickweed.
Greater Chickweed displays a low-growing, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Greater Chickweed produces small white flowers with 5 deeply notched petals.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Greater Chickweed?
Stellaria neglecta 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 Greater Chickweed Need?
Greater Chickweed thrives in part shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Greater 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 Greater Chickweed Prefer?
Stellaria neglecta grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Greater Chickweed prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Greater Chickweed?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Greater Chickweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Greater Chickweed?
Feed Greater Chickweed every 2 months 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 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Greater 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 Greater Chickweed?
Greater Chickweed can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to smallflower starwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Greater Chickweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Greater 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 Greater Chickweed?
Greater 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 Greater Chickweed Need?
Greater Chickweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Greater Chickweed is native to Europe and Asia. In cooler regions, grow Greater Chickweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Greater 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.
Greater 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 neglecta (Lej.) Weihe, family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Comp. Fl. German. 1: 560 (1825)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Greater 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.
- Photo: Thomas Gyselinck, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- 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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