Species Common Mouse-Ear Chickweed
white flowers with green leaves, white-green buds and stems

Common Mouse-Ear Chickweed

Cerastium fontanum

Common Mouse-Ear Chickweed (Cerastium fontanum ) is an herbaceous plant that is native to Europe and grows in many regions in North America. It is a low-growing annual or perennial, with small, palmate gray-green leaves that look like little mouse ears. Its delicate white flowers, with five petals each, are produced in the summer and early fall months. One of its most attractive features is its ability to produce quickly if given the right conditions and not become weedy. This makes it a great choice for both ornamental and edible gardens. It likes full or partial sun and moist soil and is also beneficial to other pollinators in the garden.

Watering:

Minimal

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

watering

For Common Mouse-Ear Chickweed, water once or twice per week to make sure the soil remains moist, but not soggy. Water in the morning so the soil has time to dry out during the day. In very hot weather, water more frequently to keep the soil from drying out too much. Avoid getting water on the leaves, as this can cause fungal diseases. In cooler weather, water less often. Check the soil before watering, and if it still feels moist, wait another day or 2 to water.

sunlight

Common Mouse-Ear Chickweed (Cerastium fontanum) grows best in full sun with 6-7 hours of direct sunlight a day at most. But this plant can also tolerate partial shade. It prefers cool temperatures and can handle temperatures as low as 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit, but it avoids cold temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods of time. When growing in full sun, water when the soil is dry to the touch to ensure that the plant does not suffer from drought stress. Give it enough water to keep the soil slightly moist but not saturated.

pruning

Common Mouse-Ear Chickweed (Cerastium fontanum) is a hardy plant type that can tolerate a variety of pruning. The best time to prune is early to mid summer when the plant is actively growing and blooming. If pruning is done later in the season, it can encourage a second bloom. To maintain a neat appearance, it may be necessary to prune periodically throughout the season. Generally, only a light pruning is recommended with most of the plant being left intact. To prune, cut back the stems of the plant to the desired level with pruning shears. Be sure to wear protective gloves and eye wear during the pruning process. When pruning, remove any dead and/or discolored leaves and stems. Doing so will help to ensure the health of the plant.