Common Chickweed
Stellaria media
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Djibouti, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuwait, Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Réunion, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen
Robert Flogaus-Faust
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus:
- Stellaria
- Species:
- Stellaria media
- USDA Symbol:
- STME2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agrochola pulchella, Agrotis venerabilis, California Tussock Moth (Leptarctia californiae), Coleophora coenosipennella, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe ferrugata), dingy cutworm (Feltia jaculifera), drab brown wave (Lobocleta ossularia), Egira curialis, kidney-spotted minor (Lacinipolia renigera), Notarctia proxima, Pale-banded Dart (Agnorisma badinodis), rascal dart moth (Agrotis malefida), Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum), Sharp-angled Carpet (Euphyia unangulata), Turuptiana permaculata, Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), Xanthorhoe defensaria, Yellow-legged Tiger Moth (Haematopis grataria)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:drab brown wave (Lobocleta ossularia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in nutrient-rich environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in cool, moist conditions. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI