Otites Viscago (Viscago otites)

Image: AI generated

Otites Viscago Plant Care

Viscago otites Hornem.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Silene otites, called Spanish catchfly, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Silene, native to Europe and the Transcaucasus area, and introduced to Xinjiang in China. It varies its floral odors to attract mosquitoes and moths at night and flies and bees by day.

Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Otites Viscago?

Plant Otites Viscago in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 6a–9b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Otites Viscago Native To?

Native range41 countries

What Is the Otites Viscago?

Otites Viscago (Viscago otites) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Viscago genus. Otites Viscago is native to Europe and the Transcaucasus area, and introduced to Xinjiang in China.

Otites Viscago displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Otites Viscago produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Otites Viscago?

Water a young or newly planted Otites Viscago every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Otites Viscago Need?

Otites Viscago thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Otites Viscago Prefer?

Viscago otites tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Otites Viscago prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Otites Viscago?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for Otites Viscago to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Otites Viscago?

Feed Otites Viscago every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Otites Viscago?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter like compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Otites Viscago is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Otites Viscago?

Otites Viscago can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Otites Viscago?

Prune Otites Viscago while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Otites Viscago in Winter?

Otites Viscago is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Otites Viscago?

Otites Viscago can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.

Is the Otites Viscago Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Otites Viscago, 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 Otites Viscago?

Otites Viscago is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. 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 Otites Viscago Need?

Otites Viscago grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Otites Viscago is native to Europe and the Transcaucasus area, and introduced to Xinjiang in China.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 6a – 9b

Keep exploring plants

Otites Viscago 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 Viscago genus (family Caryophyllaceae) — search all Viscago species in the plant lookup.

Otites Viscago thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Viscago otites Hornem., family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Hort. Bot. Hafn. 1: 411 (1813)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Otites Viscago, 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: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • 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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