Cerastium alpinum aka Alpine Mouse Ear

Taxonomy

Cerastium alpinum, also known as alpine mouse-ear or alpine chickweed, is a mat-forming perennial plant native to Greenland, Canada, and northern Europe. This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, and there are three subspecies. One subspecies, Cerastium alpinum var. lanatum, is a slow-growing alpine plant that forms a low carpet or cushion of fuzzy silver-grey leaves. Short stems of starry white flowers appear in late spring and early summer, making it a popular choice for rock gardens, gravel scree, or alpine trough gardens. It is important to note that Alpine Mouse-Ear is a super rare houseplant that requires regular watering and direct light from a window less than one foot away. This plant prefers well-draining soil and should not need added fertilizers if repotted each time it doubles in size. The small white flowers and silver-haired stems and foliage make it a beautiful addition to any garden or indoor space.

Common names

Alpine Mouse Ear, Alpine Mouse Ear Chickweed, Alpine Chickweed

How to care for Alpine Mouse Ear

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Alpine Mouse Ear is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Alpine Mouse Ear should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Alpine Mouse Ear loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Alpine Mouse Ear requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Alpine Mouse Ear Chickweed is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Alpine Mouse Ear to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Alpine Mouse Ear should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Alpine Mouse Ear as it grows vertically.


More info:
Wikipedia