Species field chickweed Guide
White flowers with yellow center, yellow filaments and yellow anthers on lime-green stems

field chickweed

Cerastium arvense

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Stem Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

Sun

Fruits:

brown,tan Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Easy

watering

Field chickweed needs to be watered frequently, but only lightly. Water it once every 2 to 3 days, making sure you don’t over-water. You should water the soil just enough to keep it moist, not soaking wet. Always check the top inch of soil to ensure it’s not overly dry. If that top layer is dry, you should water until the soil is moist but not soggy. Water thoroughly around the base of the plant, being sure to evenly distribute water around the stem and leaves. Avoid splashing water onto the plant itself, as this can lead to disease. If your field chickweed is planted in a pot, it may need to be watered more often, since potted plants often dry out faster than plants in the ground.

sunlight

Field chickweed does best in full sunlight, which is 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Direct sunlight is needed for the plant to produce its vibrant flowers and for photosynthetic purposes. In areas with extremely hot Summers, it may be beneficial to provide some partial shade, especially during the afternoon hours. Additionally, since direct sunlight can be strong and intense in some regions, the addition of a shade cloth may also prove helpful.

pruning

Field chickweed (Cerastium arvense) does not require heavy pruning. The best time to prune field chickweed is in the late spring or early summer, while the plant is in its active growing period. Prune away any dead or damaged stems from the plant, and prune off any flowering stems that have wilted and faded. This will help the plant focus its energy on vegetative growth. Occasionally, the plant may require deadheading of the flowers to keep it from getting too bushy. When pruning, always make sure to use clean, sharp pruning tools and always disinfect the pruning tools between plants.