Silene noctiflora
Images by part: leaf (5) · flower (5) · fruit (5) · bark (2) · habit (5) · other (0)

Silene noctiflora

Night-Flowered Catchfly · Night-flowering catchfly · Nightflowering silene · Night-flowering campion · Night-flowering silene

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
5–32 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 4–8
Click count
668
Observations
1,666

Description

Source: leafsnap

Silene noctiflora is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae known by the common names night-flowering catchfly, nightflowering silene and clammy cockle. It is native to Eurasia, but it is known on other continents as an introduced species and sometimes a weed. In North America, it is a common weed of grain crops in the Canadian prairie provinces and in much of the United States. It grows in fields and in other disturbed habitat.

Care Guide

💧 Water

The nightflowering silene flourishes with moderate moisture, needing to be watered twice a week for optimal growth. It is best grown outdoors, where seasonal rainfall complements its natural growth cycle and boosts its flowering potential.

☀️ Light Full sun

Nightflowering silene comes from bright, open habitats and does best in full sun. It can tolerate some partial shade but favors direct sunlight for optimal growth. This species, which may be annual or biennial, is noted for its sun-loving habit.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 5–32.2°C

Nightflowering silene can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but its distribution may still be limited by particular combinations of moisture and heat. It grows best in warm summer climates with adequate rainfall or watering. Extended periods of cloudy and rainy weather, as well as prolonged high temperatures, can increase the likelihood of Nightflowering silene dying. In winter, appropriate protection from cold can improve the plant's survival rate.

Ideal temperature: 5–32.2°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

When most of Nightflowering silene's blooms have opened to full size, resume fertilizing. At the peak of bloom production, apply fertilizer every three to four weeks, weather permitting. Then, once the plant begins producing fewer new blooms, stop fertilizing — there is no need to feed it when it can no longer produce additional flowers.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

The nightflowering silene is known for its distinctive flowers that bloom at night. To encourage healthy growth and a well-shaped plant, it's best to prune it from early to late spring. Be sure to remove any dead stems and thin out crowded areas to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of disease. Always use sharp, clean tools to help the plant remain vigorous and flower more prolifically.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Annual
Genus
Silene
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Hardiness Zone
4-8
Mature Height
25 cm to 40 cm
Mature Spread
49 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
White, Pink
Flower Size
2.03 cm to 3.05 cm
Bloom Time
Summer, Early fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall
Native Area
Turkey, Austria, Slovakia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Russia, Iraq, Germany, Indonesia, Estonia, Romania, Latvia, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Tajikistan, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Poland, Greece, Ukraine, Serbia, China, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Italy, Switzerland, Iran, Azerbaijan, United Kingdom, Hungary

Tags (5)

Common Names (8)

en Night-Flowered Catchfly
en Night-flowering catchfly
en Nightflowering silene
en Night-flowering campion
en Night-flowering silene
en Night-scented catchfly
en Sticky Cockle
en Nightflowering Catchfly