© Aleksandr Ebel, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Moehringia spp.
Temperate Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Mediterranean, Asia, North America)
Overview
Moehringia is a genus of about 25 to 30 small annual and perennial herbs in the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), closely allied to the sandworts (Arenaria). Native across the temperate Northern Hemisphere, species range from woodland floors to limestone cliffs, screes, and alpine rock. Plants form low tufts or loose, sprawling mats 2-12 inches (5-30 cm) tall, with slender, often brittle stems bearing small narrow to oval leaves 0.2-1 inch (5-25 mm) long. The flowers are small and white, usually with four or five separate petals and measuring 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) across, opening in spring and summer. Seeds of many species carry a small oil-rich appendage that draws ants, which disperse them. Some species, such as M. muscosa, grow in shaded rock crevices, while M. trinervia occupies woodland and hedge banks. Most are short-lived and modest in size, and several annual species persist mainly as self-sown seedlings rather than long-term plants.
Native Range
Moehringia is native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere, spanning Europe, the Mediterranean region, temperate Asia, and North America. Species grow in woodland, on shaded and exposed limestone rock, on screes, and in alpine habitats.Suggested Uses
Used in rock gardens, alpine troughs, crevice gardens, and scree beds, and in shaded walls for crevice-dwelling species. Woodland species fit naturalistic shade plantings. The small size keeps most species to specialist alpine and native-plant collections.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 1'
Width/Spread4" - 1'
Bloom Information
Most species flower from late spring into summer, roughly May to August, with alpine and rock-dwelling species blooming as snow recedes. Woodland species can flower earlier in shade. Flowering is brief in annual species and recurs over several weeks in perennials.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in gritty, sharply drained soil in full sun to part shade, with rock-dwelling species suited to crevices, troughs, and scree beds. Most species occur on neutral to alkaline, limestone-derived substrates, though woodland species accept humus-rich ground. Standing winter wet rots the slender crowns, so drainage matters more than fertility. Moderate watering is enough, and lean soils produce firmer, more compact growth. Propagation is by seed sown fresh or by division of perennial clumps. Annual species maintain themselves by self-seeding once established.Pruning
Shear back perennial species after flowering to keep a compact cushion and reduce flopping. Remove dead annual growth at season end. No woody pruning applies.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons