Species Field Chickweed
white flowers with yellow center, green leaves and stems

Field Chickweed

Cerastium arvense subsp. arvense

Field Chickweed is an erect, low-growing, mat-forming annual plant with smooth, succulent stems and thread-like dark green leaves. It can reach heights up to 25 cm. It produces small, five-petalled white flowers in early spring that become double-petalled in the summer. Its fruits are round and green and contain small, black, shiny seeds. This species spreads quickly and can take over disturbed areas. It is drought and shade tolerant and can be found in meadows, pastures, lawns and waste places. Field Chickweed is an aggressive weed with no culinary or medicinal uses. It can be controlled by manual or chemical control methods.

Watering:

Minimal

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Alpine chickweed should be watered on a regular basis. It prefers moderate-to-heavy irrigation. In the summer, water the plant deeply 2 to 3 times each week. During the winter, water once or twice a week. Make sure the soil is allowed to dry out a bit between watering, and water when the top 1-2 inches of the soil feels dry. Avoid over-watering, as this can lead to root rot.

sunlight

Alpine Chickweed, Cerastium alpinum subsp. alpinum, is a cool-climate plant species that thrives in partial shade and does best with a few hours of direct sunlight per day. During the summer, the best time for Alpine Chickweed to receive sunlight is during the early morning and late afternoon when the sun is less intense. In the winter, when days are shorter, the best time for the plant to receive sunlight is when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, usually between 11 am and 3 pm. In both cases, it is important for the plant to be sheltered from the harsher midday sun to prevent heat and light stress.

pruning

For Alpine Chickweed (Cerastium alpinum subsp. alpinum), pruning should be done sparingly in order to ensure optimal growth. Prune only when necessary, such as when dead or damaged stems are present. Pruning this plant should happen in late fall or early winter when the plant is dormant. Begin pruning the outer branches and move inward as needed. Cut away miscellaneous stems as desired and remove any branches that intersect with each other. Lastly, cut away any dead or damaged stems with sharp shears. Doing so helps promote healthy regrowth and healthy flowering in the springtime.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.