PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Thrives in full sun to partial shade; tolerates mild afternoon shade in hot Mediterranean climates
Watering
Allow the top 2–3 cm of soil to dry completely between waterings to prevent root rot
Temperature
Tolerates mild spring frost; performs best in cool to warm temperate growing conditions
Characteristics
- Leaf: Narrow linear gray-green leaves, up to 8 cm long, sparsely covered in fine hairs
- Flower: Clustered pink to white five-petaled blooms with notched petal tips
- Stem: Slender, branching stems coated in glandular hairs that produce a subtle sticky secretion
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during active growth
Fertilization
Diluted balanced organic feed once monthly. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent leggy, weak stem growth
Banana peel tea：Steep 1 chopped banana peel in 1 liter of water for 24 hours; dilute 1:2 before drenching soil; discard solids to avoid pest attractionPruning
- Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage extended flowering through late summer
- Thin crowded stems to improve airflow and reduce the risk of fungal infections
- Cut back the entire plant to ground level after flowering to tidy garden beds and prepare for next season
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic to cats; no documented adverse health effects
Humans: No known toxic effects to humans from ingestion or skin contact
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental wildflower for rock gardens, meadow plantings, and pollinator-friendly borders
