Cerastium fontanum

RHS Plant Profile
common mouse-ear

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common mouse-ear RHS

Other common names

clust llygoden culddail

Herbaceous Perennial
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A low-growing, mat-forming short lived perennial with curved, hairy opposite leaves. Produces clusters of small white flowers with deeply lobed petals, from April to November.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Sand, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Sand Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming, Spreading branched
Genus
Cerastium can be annuals or mat-forming perennials, with simple leaves and star-shaped 5-petalled white flowers
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will tolerate a range of soil conditions and does well on poor soil. Self-seeds prolifically and is often considered a weed

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow

Pruning

No pruning required, remove before seeds develop if seeding is not desired

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free