Great Chickweed Plant Care
Stellaria pubera Michx.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stellaria pubera, commonly called the star chickweed, is a spring-flowering plant in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae, native to the eastern United States.
Every 2–3 days
Part shade to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Great Chickweed?
Water Great 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.
Where Is the Great Chickweed Native To?
What Is the Great Chickweed?
Great Chickweed (Stellaria pubera) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Stellaria genus. Great Chickweed is native to the eastern United States. Great Chickweed is also known as Eastern Star-of-Bethlehem.
Great Chickweed displays a low-growing, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Great Chickweed produces small white flowers with 5 deeply notched petals.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Great Chickweed?
Stellaria pubera 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 Great Chickweed Need?
Great Chickweed thrives in part shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Great 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 Great Chickweed Prefer?
Stellaria pubera grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Great Chickweed prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Great Chickweed?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Great Chickweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Great 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 Great Chickweed?
Great Chickweed can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to smallflower starwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Great Chickweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Great 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 Great Chickweed?
Great 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 Great Chickweed Need?
Great Chickweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Great Chickweed is native to the eastern United States. In cooler regions, grow Great Chickweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Great 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.
Great 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 pubera Michx., family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 273 (1803)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Great 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.
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