Species Great Chickweed
white flowers with yellow center, gray-green buds, leaves and gray-green stems

Great Chickweed

Cerastium maximum

Great Chickweed (Cerastium maximum) is an annual herbaceous plant that grows up to 12 inches in height. Its leaves are opposite along stems that are smooth and hairless. It bears small, whiteish flowers in pairs atop long, thin stems, usually blooming in late spring or early summer. Its thick, fleshy, and oval leaves are a dark green color, while its small, round seeds are black. It grows in many habitats, including disturbed soil, lawns, mossy areas, and seeps. It can tolerate drought, as well as salt and lime. It has some medicinal uses, as its leaves can be used as a poultice to release toxins from the body.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Stem Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Easy

watering

Great Chickweed should be watered weekly, giving just enough water to moisten the topsoil. Avoid letting the soil become soggy or overly dry; too much water can lead to root rot, while too little water can cause the plant to wilt and die. Allow the top 1 inch of soil to dry out before giving the plant a thorough soaking. When watering, aim for the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, as this can lead to mildew. Also, avoid getting the foliage wet when watering, as this can cause discoloration to the leaves.

sunlight

Great Chickweed (Cerastium maximum) prefers full or partial sun. It will tolerate light shade, but this will decrease flowering. Ideally, the plant should receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. For maximum flowering potential, full sun is best. Great Chickweed may display symptoms of sun stress if exposed to intense sunlight for more than 8 hours per day.

pruning

Great chickweed is a low-growing, evergreen perennial requiring minimal pruning. It should generally only be pruned once a year in late winter to early spring. During pruning, dead or damaged stems should be cut back to the base of the plant, and any unruly growth should be removed. Pruners should also lightly cut back the entire plant to tidy its appearance and to encourage fuller growth. Pruning should never remove more than ⅓ of the plant’s total height. With this species, pruning is typically not necessary, but regular maintenance pruning will help keep the plant looking its best.