Stellaria media aka Chickweed
Taxonomy
Stellaria media, commonly known as chickweed, is an annual flowering plant that belongs to the family Caryophyllaceae. Originally native to Eurasia, it has now spread and become naturalized across the globe, often found in waste grounds, farmlands, and gardens as a weed. This versatile plant can be grown as a salad crop or fed to poultry. With its fine, sprawling stems, small bright green leaves, and delicate star-shaped white flowers, it displays a semi-evergreen nature, thriving in mild weather conditions throughout the year. Common Chickweed, also known as Stellaria media, is a flowering green plant from the Caryophyllaceae family. It can be classified as an annual or perennial, and is not only edible but also valued for its medicinal properties. While it originated in Europe, it has successfully established itself worldwide, often considered a widespread weed. Recognizable by its small clusters of white star-shaped flowers found at the ends of its stems, Common Chickweed bears bright green, oval-shaped leaves that are slightly fuzzy and pointed. These leaves typically grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem.
Common names
Chickweed, Common Chickweed, Nodding Chickweed, Adder's MouthHow to care for Chickweed
Difficulty
With its straightforward care requirements, Chickweed is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.
Water
Chickweed should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Chickweed 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
To ensure optimal growth, the Chickweed prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the wintertime, it is common for Chickweed plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
Region of origin
Chickweed’s native range is A cosmopolitan plant, found in most regions of the world, including Britain.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Stellaria Genus
Stellaria sessiliflora
Stellaria bungeana Stellaria Bungeana
Stellaria nipponica

Stellaria longifolia Long Leaf Starwort

Stellaria pubera Star Chickweed

Stellaria longipes Long Stalk Starwort

Stellaria media Chickweed

Stellaria graminea Common Stitchwort

Stellaria pungens Stellaria Pungens
