Common Mouse-Ear Chickweed
Cerastium fontanum
- Native to:
- Austria, Baltic States, Bulgaria, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greenland, Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Morocco, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Ogasawara-shoto, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus:
- Cerastium
- Species:
- Cerastium fontanum
- USDA Symbol:
- CEFO2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 45 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, small insects
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in open, grassy habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in cool conditions with light. No special treatments typically required beyond cold stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.