Lesser stitchwort Stellaria graminea

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

S. graminea is a perennial with brittle, slender shoots arising from a creeping rootstock, bearing narrowly lance-shaped leaves and loose sprays of starry white flowers 6-10cm across in late spring and summer

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae
- Synonyms
  Lesser Stitchwort, Common Starwort, Grass-like Starwort, Grass-leaved Stitchwort
- Common names
  Alsine graminea, Stellaria apetala, Stellaria graminea var. apetala, Stellaria graminea var. villosa, Stellaria laxmannii, Stellaria palustris.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  0.5-1 feet (15-30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  3-8
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ecosystem Support: Provides a food source and habitat for various insects and pollinators.
- Aesthetic Value: Offers delicate, star-shaped flowers that can enhance the visual appeal of natural gardens.
- Soil Stabilization: Helps to bind soil in place, preventing erosion in certain environments.
- Wildlife Nutrition: Serves as a source of food for birds and small mammals, especially with its seeds.
- Biodiversity: Contributes to the diversity of plant life in an ecosystem, which can lead to more stable and resilient habitats.
Medical Properties
- Anti-inflammatory: Stellaria graminea has been traditionally used to reduce inflammation.
- Diuretic: It is believed to possess diuretic properties, which can help in increasing urine production.
- Expectorant: The plant has been used to help in the expelling of phlegm from the respiratory tract.
- Mild analgesic: There is a belief that it can act as a mild pain reliever.
- Emollient: Stellaria graminea may be applied topically to soothe and soften the skin.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Stellaria graminea, commonly known as common starwort, can be used as a model organism in botany education to demonstrate plant structure and physiology due to its simple build and ease of cultivation.
- In landscape gardening, common starwort is sometimes planted for its delicate, star-shaped flowers to create a 'wildflower' or 'meadow' look in informal garden settings.
- Due to its dense, mat-forming growth habit, common starwort can be used for erosion control on banks and slopes where other plants might be harder to establish.
- Common starwort is sometimes utilized in the design of green roofs, where its hardiness and low maintenance characteristics are particularly beneficial.
- The plant's tiny flowers attract a diverse range of pollinators, including small bees and flies, making it a useful addition to a pollinator-friendly garden.
- Illuminated manuscripts and historical artworks sometimes feature common starwort as part of their botanical illustrations, showcasing its aesthetic appeal.
- In companion planting, common starwort can be grown alongside vegetable crops as a living mulch, helping to keep the soil moist and suppress weeds.
- Folk art and handicrafts often incorporate common starwort motifs to symbolize purity and simplicity, inspired by its small and delicate flowers.
- As a ground cover in shaded woodland gardens, common starwort can create a lush green carpet, which is low-growing and maintenance-free.
- In culinary applications, although not widely practiced, the leaves of common starwort may be used in small quantities as a salad green to add a wild foraged element to dishes.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The common chickweed is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The common chickweed is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Simplicity: Stellaria graminea, commonly known as Lesser Stitchwort, has a delicate and unassuming appearance, symbolizing the value and beauty found in a simple and modest life.
- Purity: The white petals of Lesser Stitchwort can represent innocence and purity, evoking a sense of clarity and virtue.
- Connection to Nature: As a wildflower commonly found in meadows and grassy areas, Lesser Stitchwort symbolizes a deep connection to the natural world and the rhythms of the earth.
- Overcoming Obstacles: The plant's ability to grow in diverse conditions from spring to summer symbolizes resilience and the ability to thrive despite challenges.
- Healing: Historically, the plant was believed to have medicinal properties, making it a symbol of healing and restoration.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to early summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Lesser stitchwort prefers consistently moist soil but not waterlogged conditions. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about one inch of water each time. During periods of drought or extreme heat, increase watering to twice a week. It's crucial to ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent root rot. Use a watering can or a hose with a gentle nozzle to avoid disrupting the delicate stems and foliage, and aim for early morning watering to reduce evaporation and allow foliage to dry before nighttime.
Light
Lesser stitchwort thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers a spot that receives at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily but can also do well in light dappled shade. Avoid deep shade as it may lead to leggy growth and fewer flowers.
Temperature
Lesser stitchwort is hardy and can tolerate a broad range of temperatures, from as low as 10° Fahrenheit to as high as 90° Fahrenheit. However, the ideal temperature for this plant falls between 60° and 70° Fahrenheit. Avoid exposing lesser stitchwort to temperatures below 10° Fahrenheit for prolonged periods, as it may not survive extreme cold.
Pruning
Pruning lesser stitchwort is essential to maintain a compact shape and encourage bushier growth. Trim back the plant lightly after flowering to promote a second bloom. The best time for pruning is in late summer or early autumn. Prune occasionally throughout the growing season to remove any dead or damaged stems.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Common Chickweed (Stellaria graminea) prefers well-draining soil mixed with compost or organic matter; a general potting mix amended with perlite or sand works well. The ideal pH range should be between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth.
Repotting
Common Chickweed (Stellaria graminea) typically does not require frequent repotting; it can often be left undisturbed for several years unless it outgrows its container or the soil becomes exhausted.
Humidity & Misting
Common Chickweed (Stellaria graminea) is adaptable but thrives best in moderate humidity levels without special requirements, so typical indoor humidity is usually sufficient.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Common Chickweed in bright, indirect light.
- Outdoor
  Plant in partial shade with moist soil.
- Hardiness zone
  3-8 USDA
Life cycle
Stellaria graminea, commonly known as Lesser Stitchwort, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in the spring when the soil temperature and moisture levels are adequate. The seedling emerges and develops into a low-growing, branching plant with slender stems and small, linear leaves. As it matures, the plant produces delicate, star-shaped white flowers from late spring to early summer, which are pollinated by insects. Following pollination, the flowers develop into small, brown capsules containing numerous seeds. These seeds are dispersed by various means, including wind, water, and animal movement, and once settled in a suitable location, they remain dormant until the next spring. Lesser Stitchwort is a perennial herb, so above-ground parts die back to the ground in autumn, while the root system survives underground, enabling the plant to regrow the following year.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to early summer
- Propogation: The most popular method of propagating Stellaria graminea, commonly known as Lesser Stitchwort, is through seed sowing. The ideal time to sow the seeds is in the spring or early fall. Seeds should be scattered directly onto a well-prepared seedbed that is free of weeds and has good drainage. Gently press the seeds into the soil but do not cover them, as they require light for germination. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination occurs, which typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be thinned out or transplanted to their final growing positions, ensuring that they are spaced about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 cm) apart to allow for mature growth.