Stellaria aquatica
Giant Chickweed · Water Chickweed · Water stitchwort · Water starwort · Water Stellaria
Description
Source: leafsnapStellaria aquatica is a species of flowering plant in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae, known as water chickweed or giant chickweed. It is a perennial herbaceous dicot plant with stems between 10 and 100 cm. high, growing in humid, wet areas, for example, on the sides of gutters or under or between bushes. It occurs naturally in the temperate regions of central and western Europe. The flowers are white. The plants bloom between June and August.
🌳 Giant chickweed is more than just a common aquatic weed; it has an important role in water purification systems. The plant's capacity to absorb and accumulate certain heavy metals from water bodies makes it a natural candidate for bioremediation. Although not commercially exploited, this characteristic carries significant implications for environmental management and the restoration of polluted aquatic ecosystems.
Care Guide
💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun
Giant chickweed naturally thrives with plentiful sunlight, which supports healthy growth. It is also hardy enough to grow where sun exposure is only moderate. However, too much sun can be harmful, while too little can impede its development. Its original habitat is rich in sunlight.
🌡️ Temperature 15–35°C
Giant chickweed naturally grows in habitats with a preferred temperature range of 68 to 95 °F (20 to 35 ℃). It’s important to modify the plant’s environment to match those conditions, particularly during seasonal shifts.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
One fertilizer application in spring is generally enough for Giant chickweed, but repeated feedings can optimize growth. Feed it every month to every month and a half. Fertilizing improves leaf appearance and function, maintaining uniform color and a healthy texture. It also promotes root development and nutrient uptake for long-term plant health.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial, Annual
- Genus
- Stellaria
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 7-10
- Mature Height
- 15 cm to 40 cm
- Mature Spread
- 20 cm to 40 cm
- Leaf Color
- Light Green, Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- White
- Flower Size
- 1.27 cm
- Bloom Time
- Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer
- Harvest Time
- Early summer, Mid summer