Species Nodding Chickweed
white flowers with lime center, purple-white stamens, lime leaves and stem

Nodding Chickweed

Cerastium nutans var. nutans

Nodding Chickweed (Cerastium nutans var. nutans) is a low-growing, creeping perennial wildflower. Its glabrous stems branch to form a small, lush mound of foliage. Its ovate leaves have a grayish-green hue, turning yellow in the autumn. In mid-spring, clusters of delicate, white flowers appear, nodding downward on short stems. Each flower has five petals and prominent yellow anthers. Plant in soil with good drainage to keep the roots healthy. Nodding Chickweed is a useful plant for low-maintenance garden projects. It's deer-resistant and it naturalizes to meadows, hillsides, and other damp areas. The variety offers beauty with no maintenance.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Stem Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,tan

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Nodding Chickweed should be watered frequently, about once every 1 to 3 days. It prefers evenly moist soil, but should never be allowed to stay soggy or sit in water for too long. It is best to water in the mornings when the temperatures are cool. If the soil appears dry, give the plant a thorough drink of water; once moist, let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. It is important to maintain consistent moisture levels and avoid extreme dryness. If the plant looks wilted in the afternoon, a light spray of water may be necessary.

sunlight

Nodding Chickweed (Cerastium nutans var. nutans) thrives in partial to full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight ideally. In areas with intense heat and direct full sun, it is best given a few hours of shade during the hottest part of the day, typically mid-afternoon. In climates with limited sun exposure, up to 12 hours of indirect sunlight is suitable.

pruning

Nodding Chickweed (Cerastium nutans var. nutans) should be pruned once a year in late winter or early spring. Pruning should involve removing any dead or diseased stems and shearing the plant down by about 1/3 of its total height. After shearing, the plant should be thinned out by removing any weak, spindly or overcrowded stems. This will help to encourage healthy, lush growth and a neat appearance. Additionally, removing dead flower heads can help to prevent the spread of disease and encourage more blooms.