Moss Campion Silene acaulis

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The plant commonly referred to as moss campion bears tiny leaves that are tightly packed together, giving it a cushion-like appearance that is sometimes thought to resemble a patch of moss. These leaves are generally green, sometimes with a grayish or bluish tinge, contributing to the plant's overall dense and compact look. During blooming season, an abundance of small, bright pink to lavender-colored flowers emerge, covering the cushioned foliage. Each flower consists of five petals that form a delicate, star-like shape. This profusion of blossoms adds a vibrant splash of color to the landscape, creating a stark contrast against the often rocky and barren environments where the plant typically grows. Though usually low to the ground, moss campion can produce a surprisingly large number of blooms, which protrude slightly above the foliage, turning the plant into a soft mound of color. Despite the small size of individual flowers, their collective display can be quite striking, especially when viewed against the plant's often harsh natural habitat. The overall impression of moss campion is of a hardy, resilient plant that forms a low, dense mat or tuft of foliage, which becomes speckled with a multitude of charming flowers during its blooming period. Its appearance allows it to endure and thrive in challenging conditions while providing a bright and cheerful presence.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae.
- Synonyms
  Moss Campion, Cushion Pink.
- Common names
  Lychnis acaulis, Silene acaulis var. exscapa, Silene acaulis var. bryoides, Silene acaulis var. longiscapa, Silene exscapa, Silene petraea, Arenaria acaulis, Cucubalus acaulis.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Moss campion is considered non-toxic to humans, and there are no well-documented cases or significant reports of poisoning from ingesting any parts of this plant. Hence, it is unlikely to cause serious consequences if accidentally consumed in small amounts. However, as with any plant, it is generally advisable not to eat it unless it is known to be safe and edible since various people might have different sensitivities or allergic reactions.
- To pets
  Moss campion is also considered non-toxic to pets. There are no known toxic compounds within this plant that are harmful to animals, so ingestion of moss campion is unlikely to cause poisoning or serious health issues in pets. As with humans, some pets could have sensitivities or mild allergic reactions to unfamiliar plants, but significant toxic symptoms are not expected.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  0.1 feet (3 cm)
- Spread
  0.5 feet (15 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Arctic-alpine

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ecosystem support - Silene acaulis, commonly known as moss campion, serves as a pioneer species in alpine and arctic environments, contributing to soil formation and stabilization.
- Habitat provision - This plant offers shelter and breeding grounds for various invertebrates and serves as a nectar source for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
- Aesthetic value - With its cushion-like growth habit and bright pink to purple flowers, moss campion adds visual interest and beauty to rock gardens and alpine garden designs.
- Climate resilience - Being adapted to harsh conditions, moss campion is useful for revegetation projects in challenging climates, as it can withstand cold temperatures and high winds.
- Scientific research - Moss campion is utilized in ecological and botanical studies to understand plant adaptation and survival in extreme environments.
- Education and awareness - This plant can be used to educate people about alpine ecosystems and the importance of conserving these fragile habitats.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Silene acaulis, commonly known as moss campion, can be used as a model organism for studying high-altitude and arctic-alpine plant biology due to its survival in extreme conditions.
- The dense mats of moss campion can serve as a nesting ground for small alpine birds, providing insulation and protection from predators.
- Moss campion has been utilized in rock gardens and alpine garden designs for its cushion-like growth habit and vibrant pink flowers.
- In regions where it's native, moss campion may be used in traditional cultural ceremonies or as a symbol of the rugged beauty of alpine environments.
- The plant has potential in phytoremediation studies for its ability to endure poor soil conditions and potentially improve soil health over time.
- Due to its extensive root system, moss campion can be used in erosion control projects in alpine and arctic terrains.
- As a subject in botanical art and photography, moss campion provides striking visuals due to its unique growth pattern and bright blooms.
- Moss campion can be used as a natural indicator plant for climate change studies, as shifts in its range may signal environmental changes.
- The resilient characteristics of moss campion make it a candidate for researching plant adaptation and survival mechanisms under climate stressors.
- It can be used in educational settings, such as school gardens or nature programs, to teach students about alpine plant life and ecosystems.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The moss campion is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The moss campion is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Resilience: Silene acaulis, commonly known as moss campion, is a symbol of resilience due to its ability to survive in harsh alpine and arctic environments, thriving in extreme cold and rocky soil.
- Endurance: Moss campion represents endurance given its perennial nature, with the ability to withstand the elements and persist through severe conditions over many years.
- Adaptability: This plant exemplifies adaptability, as it can grow in a variety of challenging terrains, adapting its growth habits to suit its surroundings.
- Beauty in Hostility: Moss campion is often seen as a symbol of beauty amidst adversity, blooming with vibrant flowers in otherwise inhospitable landscapes, reminding observers that beauty can be found in the least expected places.
- Simplicity: The simple yet striking appearance of Silene acaulis can represent the value of simplicity and how basic elements can combine to create a profound impact.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-early summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Moss Campion should be watered deeply but infrequently to mimic its natural alpine environment. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, then soak thoroughly, ensuring water penetrates the root zone. In general, this might mean watering with approximately 1 gallon of water every week during its growing season, depending on climate and weather conditions. During hot, dry spells, watering frequency may need to increase, while during cooler, wetter periods, it may need to decrease. Never allow the plant to sit in waterlogged soil as this can lead to root rot.
Light
Moss Campion thrives in full sun to partial shade, preferring a location where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. It's best suited for rock gardens or alpine gardens where it can soak up the sun's rays without being overshadowed by taller plants.
Temperature
Moss Campion is adapted to cold environments and can survive in temperatures ranging from well below freezing to about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It can endure minimum temperatures down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, but the ideal temperature range for this alpine plant is between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pruning
Pruning of Moss Campion is typically done to remove any dead or damaged foliage and to maintain its cushion-like shape. Prune in the spring or immediately after flowering to encourage denser growth. Pruning is only needed once a year unless the plant has been damaged by extreme weather.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Moss campion requires a well-drained, gravelly or sandy soil mix with low fertility. An ideal soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.5 to 7.0. Incorporate sand and fine gravel with some peat to mimic its natural alpine habitat.
Repotting
Moss campion seldom requires repotting due to its slow growth rate and preference for compact spaces. Repotting is generally only necessary if the soil becomes compacted or exhausted, which may take several years.
Humidity & Misting
Moss campion thrives best in an environment with low to moderate humidity levels typical of its natural alpine or subarctic habitats; it does not require high humidity.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Use gritty soil, provide bright light, water sparingly.
- Outdoor
  Plant in rocky soil, full sun, protect from excessive moisture.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Moss campion or Silene acaulis is a perennial plant that begins its life as a seed that germinates in a suitable environment with adequate moisture and temperature. The seedling emerges and develops a compact, cushion-like form as it matures, adapted to its native alpine and arctic environments. Vegetative reproduction is common through division, where parts of the plant break off and root themselves, forming new individuals. Sexual reproduction occurs with flowers that bloom typically from late spring to early summer, usually pink or purple, pollinated by insects, leading to the production of seeds in capsules. After pollination, the plant undergoes a period of dormancy, particularly in colder climates, where growth ceases and the plant survives in a resting state during winter. The plant can live for many years, gradually expanding in size and forming extensive mats that hug the ground.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-early summer
- Moss campion, Silene acaulis, is best propagated during spring or early summer, when conditions are favorable for root growth and establishment. The most popular method of propagation for this perennial alpine plant is by division. In spring, carefully lift the plant from the ground, ensuring to keep a good amount of soil around the roots. Using a sharp knife, divide the dense cushion of foliage into smaller clumps, each with their own root system. These clumps can then be planted into well-draining soil, ideally in a mix similar to their natural alpine habitat—rich in grit and low in nutrients. Water the divisions lightly after planting to help settle the soil around the roots and keep the newly planted clumps consistently moist until they are well-established. Division allows gardeners to produce exact clones of a particularly desirable parent plant and usually ensures a high success rate.