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Unilateral Viscago Plant Care
Viscago unilateralis Moench
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Silene tatarica, called the Tartarian catchfly, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Silene, found in north-central Europe and western Asia, from Germany and Norway eastwards to western Siberia and Kazakhstan. A specialist of riparian habitats, its seeds are dispersed by water.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Unilateral Viscago?
Plant Unilateral Viscago in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 3a–8b) 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 Unilateral Viscago Native To?
- Albania
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- The Netherlands
- Türkiye
- UAE
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Yemen
What Is the Unilateral Viscago?
Unilateral Viscago (Viscago unilateralis) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Viscago genus. Unilateral Viscago is native to north-central Europe and western Asia, from Germany and Norway eastwards to western Siberia and Kazakhstan.
Unilateral Viscago displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Unilateral Viscago produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Unilateral Viscago?
Water a young or newly planted Unilateral 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 Unilateral Viscago Need?
Unilateral Viscago thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Unilateral Viscago Prefer?
Viscago unilateralis tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Unilateral Viscago prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Unilateral Viscago?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for Unilateral Viscago to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Unilateral Viscago?
Feed Unilateral 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 Unilateral 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.
Unilateral Viscago is suited to USDA Zone 3a – 8b.
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 Unilateral Viscago?
Unilateral 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 Unilateral Viscago?
Prune Unilateral 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 Unilateral Viscago in Winter?
Unilateral Viscago is hardy down to USDA zone 3a, 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 Unilateral Viscago?
Unilateral Viscago can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the Unilateral Viscago Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Unilateral 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 Unilateral Viscago?
Unilateral 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 Unilateral Viscago Need?
Unilateral Viscago grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Unilateral Viscago is native to north-central Europe and western Asia, from Germany and Norway eastwards to western Siberia and Kazakhstan.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Unilateral 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.
Unilateral 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 unilateralis Moench, family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Methodus : 704 (1794)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Unilateral 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 3a – 8b, 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.
