Gypsophila vaccaria

RHS Plant Profile

cow herb

Other common names

cow basil, cow cockle, cow fat, cow soapwort, glond, soapwort

Synonyms

Vaccaria violescens
Vaccaria pyramidata
Vaccaria hispanica
Gypsophila violescens
Vaccaria segetalis
Saponaria vaccaria

Annual Biennial

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An annual wildflower, with upright, branching stems to around 60cm high, and lance-shaped, grey-green leaves clasping the stems. Spreading clusters of small pink flowers, with notched petals and darker pink veins, are produced in spring and early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: 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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Gypsophila can be annuals or perennials, sometimes evergreen, with narrow, greyish leaves and large sprays of small flowers
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in a range of soils and positions, often found on distubed soils and field margins. Self seeds freely and has potential to become a nuisance if not managed

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to cutworms

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to sooty mould