What are the sun requirements for Silene nocturna?

Silene nocturna requires Full Sun.

How much water does Silene nocturna need?

Silene nocturna has Low water needs.

Annuals

Silene nocturna

night-flowering catchfly

Caryophyllaceae Europe, North Africa, Western Asia

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height8-20 inches (20-50 cm)

Width4-8 inches (10-20 cm)

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Silene nocturna is an annual herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, growing 8–20 inches (20–50 cm) tall with an erect to ascending, branching habit. Stems are slender, sticky-hairy (viscid), with the stickiness trapping small insects on the stem surface — the basis for the common name "catchfly," though the plant is not carnivorous. Basal leaves are spatulate, 1–2.5 inches (2.5–6 cm) long; stem leaves are narrower, lanceolate, opposite, sessile. Flowers are 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) across with five white to pale pink petals, each bifid (cleft into two lobes), borne in a one-sided, secund raceme of 3–10 flowers. Flowers open at dusk and remain open through the night, closing by mid-morning — a strategy for nocturnal moth pollination. Calyx is tubular, 0.4–0.5 inch (10–12 mm) long, 10-veined, sticky-hairy, becoming inflated around the developing capsule. The species is native to the Mediterranean basin, where it occurs as a winter annual — germinating in autumn, overwintering as a rosette, flowering in spring, and completing its life cycle by early summer. In cooler climates, it behaves as a spring annual. Naturalised in parts of California and other Mediterranean-climate regions. Self-seeds readily in open, disturbed ground.

Native Range

Silene nocturna is native to the Mediterranean basin, from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa east through southern France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and into the Levant. It occurs on sandy and rocky ground, cultivated fields, roadsides, and coastal habitats at low elevations.

Suggested Uses

Sown in wildflower meadow mixes, annual borders, and dry, sandy garden areas. The nocturnal flowering habit makes it a curiosity plant for evening gardens — site near outdoor seating areas where the flowers can be observed at dusk. Interplant with day-blooming annuals for round-the-clock flower interest. Self-sows in open, disturbed ground.

How to Identify

Identified by the sticky-hairy stems, one-sided (secund) raceme of white to pale pink bifid-petalled flowers that open at dusk and close by morning, and the 10-veined, sticky, tubular calyx. Distinguished from S. gallica (small-flowered catchfly) by the larger flowers and the secund (one-sided) raceme. Distinguished from S. vulgaris (bladder campion) by the annual habit, smaller flowers, and non-inflated calyx at flowering (calyx inflates only around the developing capsule).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'8"

Width/Spread4" - 8"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers open from May through June (spring-sown) or March through May (autumn-sown in mild climates). Each flower opens at dusk and closes by mid-morning, lasting 1–2 nights. The secund raceme of 3–10 flowers opens sequentially over 2–3 weeks. Pollinated by nocturnal moths, particularly small geometrid and noctuid moths.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale pink

Foliage Description

Medium green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow seed on the soil surface in early spring (March–April) or in autumn in mild climates (zones 8–10). Seeds are tiny — mix with fine sand for even distribution. Press into the soil surface; do not cover, as light aids germination. Germination takes 10–14 days at 55–65°F (13–18°C). Thin to 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) apart. Plant in full sun in lean, well-drained, sandy to loamy soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. No fertilisation is needed — the species thrives in poor, dry soil. Water sparingly; drought-tolerant once established. The sticky stems may trap small insects, which is a natural characteristic and not a cause for concern.

Pruning

No pruning required. The species completes its life cycle in one season. Remove spent plants after seed has dispersed, or leave to self-sow in informal settings. Pull plants before seed set if self-seeding is not desired.