PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in dry, sunny meadow conditions and tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates
Watering
Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; drought-tolerant once established to avoid root rot
Temperature
Hardy to -10°C for winter dormancy; tolerates warm summer temperatures up to 30°C without stress
Characteristics
- Leaf: Narrow lanceolate leaves, opposite arrangement, finely serrated margins
- Flower: Pink to pale purple four-petaled blooms in terminal racemes
- Stem: Slender, green to reddish upright stems with fine pubescence
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil slightly moist during active growth periods
Fertilization
Diluted balanced feed once every 4 weeks. Use low-concentration feed to avoid excessive foliage growth over flower production
Eggshell powder topdressing：Crush dried eggshells to fine powder; sprinkle lightly on soil surface and water in to release calcium gradually; avoid overapplication to prevent soil alkalinity spikesPruning
- Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage extended flowering through early summer
- Cut back stems to basal growth after flowering to promote tidy, compact growth for the following season
- Remove yellowing or damaged foliage to maintain plant health and airflow
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: No documented toxicity to cats
Humans: No documented toxicity to humans
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental wildflower for meadows and rock gardens; limited traditional medicinal uses (unverified)
