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

field chickweed

Cerastium arvense

Field chickweed (Cerastium arvense) is a resilient species of wildflower commonly found in pastures and fields. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family of plants and displays clusters of small white flowers. An attractive feature of field chickweed is its incredible hardiness; it will continue to bloom and thrive in any kind of terrain, from dry, sandy soil to the wettest climates. Its petite, delicate form and foliage make it a beautiful addition to any garden. One of the most amazing aspects of field chickweed is its medicinal properties. It is a known natural remedy for fevers, as well as digestive ailments, and can be brewed into a tea or soup. Field chickweed is a truly remarkable species.

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.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Field chickweed typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting of Cerastium arvense, or field chickweed, typically begins in June and continues through August.

Hardiness Map