Sticky catchfly: planting, care & the most beautiful varieties

The beautiful sticky catchfly is wonderfully suited to a warm and sunny location. It not only decorates the flower bed, but can also embellish balconies or terraces as a pot plant.

Sticky catchflies (Silene viscaria – formerly Lychnis viscaria) are relatively undemanding ornamental perennials. In addition, they support their neighbouring plants in their growth and can even protect them from diseases. We show you how to successfully plant your own sticky catchflies and where they feel most at home.

Sticky catchfly: Characteristics and origin

The common sticky catchfly does not belong to the pinks genus (Dianthus), as one might assume, but to the campions (Silene). However, both genera belong to the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). Lychnis viscaria is a perennial, albeit short-lived, and originates from the Mediterranean region. However, it has long spread throughout Europe. In parts of Europe it is considered endangered, in northern Germany it is already extinct.

The winter-green leaves of the sticky catchfly are lanceolate, slightly hairy and form a basal rosette of leaves. From this rises a flower stalk that grows to a height of 30 to 50 cm and secretes a sticky substance. This is presumably to prevent phytophagous insects from attacking the plant. The stem ends with a purple flower panicle, although different varieties show a different colouring. This is presented in full splendour from May to July. Insects such as bees and butterflies also like to fly to the sticky catchfly. Lychnis viscaria is often used in classic cottage gardens. They thrive best in beds, in open spaces and at the sunny edge of woody plants with dry to fresh soil. Amidst low grasses, the beautifully flowering campion comes into its own.

Tip: Sticky catchfly make exceptionally good cut flowers. Placed in a vase, they will keep between 10 and 15 days.

The most beautiful varieties

Different varieties exhibit, among other things, different colours and shapes of flowers. We have put together a small selection for you.

• ‘Plena’ is impressive with its double, carmine-pink flowers and reaches a maximum height of circa 40 cm.

• ‘Fire’ has unfilled, ray-shaped, pink flowers. It can grow up to 50 cm in height.
• ‘Snow’ grows up to 50 cm tall and bears beautiful, white flower panicles.

• Lychnis viscaria ssp. atropurpurea features dark, purple flowers.
• ‘Splendens’ fascinates with strikingly large flower panicles in violet colour.

Planting sticky catchfly: Location and method

Sticky catchfly prefer a warm and sunny site on the sunny edge of woodland, in open spaces or in the heather garden with a dry to fresh and well-drained soil. Heavy soils should therefore be loosened up and, if necessary, thinned with plenty of sand or gravel. Stagnant water will cause the sticky catchfly to die in the long run. The sticky catchfly prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil that is low in lime and nutrients. Sticky catchfly look and grow most vital when planted in small groups.

Sticky catchfly can be planted all year round, but preferably in the frost-free months.

• If necessary, prepare the soil by levelling it with sand or gravel and clear the planting site of unwanted weeds.
• If the soil is rather wet, a drainage layer of chippings or gravel should also be installed to prevent waterlogging.
• A planting distance of 25 cm should be maintained.
• Sticky catchfly are at their best in small groups of 3 to 10 plants.
• Insert the plant until the leaf rosette is level with the ground.
• The freshly planted perennial should then be watered well.

Planting in a container is also possible. Sticky catchfly with their beautiful flowers look wonderful on terraces and balconies. The right pot for the sticky catchfly should have a diameter of at least 25 cm and a sufficiently large water drainage hole. In addition, it is advisable to lay a drainage layer of expanded clay, for example, here as well. The substrate should have a neutral to slightly acidic pH value. Our Plantura Organic Flower Compost with a pH of 5.6 to 6.4, for example, is ideally suited for the sticky catchfly. In addition, our soil is already mixed with expanded clay, which ensures a well-drained structure.

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In addition to pre-cultivated plants, sticky catchfly seeds can also be purchased. The following points should be taken into account when sowing sticky catchfly:

• From February onwards, the seeds can be grown in seedling pots.
• Choose a location with a temperature between 18 and 20 °C and sufficient light.
• A special growing medium is suitable as a substrate. Our Plantura Organic Herb & Seedling Compost is lower in nutrients than potting soil and therefore promotes root growth after germination.
• Press the seeds only lightly to the substrate, because the sticky catchfly is a light germinator.
• The propagator should be sprayed regularly. The soil should be moist, but not wet.
• Under optimal conditions, the first seeds germinate after about 10 to 20 days.
• As soon as the first real leaves are visible, the plants can be planted in the bed or in a larger pot from March onwards.

Care

Sticky catchfly are quite easy to care for, provided they are planted in the right location. The soil or substrate in the pot should be dry to fresh, but never wet. Ideally, use water that is low in lime, as sticky catchfly do not tolerate lime well. If the water accumulates in the planter or saucer, it should definitely be poured away.

Sticky catchfly are also not particularly demanding when it comes to fertilisation. If the sticky catchfly have been planted in moderately fertile soil, no fertilisation is needed. Very nutrient-poor soils, on the other hand, should be supplied with a slow-release fertiliser once a year. Our Plantura Flower Food, for example, is decomposed step by step by the microorganisms it contains and thus provides the plants with the optimum amount of nutrients for a long time. Fringed pinks in pots should be treated once a month with a liquid fertiliser, for example. Our Plantura Liquid Flower Food, for example, ensures good resistance and frost hardiness with the potassium it contains. The microorganisms contained also guarantee strong root growth. Make sure you use a low dosage here – about 15 ml of fertiliser per 5 l of water.

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Tip: Over time, the phosphorus supply in the substrate becomes very low, which is why you should repot the sticky catchfly in a fresh substrate every 2 to 3 years. Phosphorus is, among other things, an essential component of DNA and energy metabolism and thus vital for plants.

If you want to prevent self-seeding, the withered flowers should be cleaned out. After the main flowering period, it is advisable to cut the perennial back completely once. But leave the leaves close to the ground – these protect the plant from the coming frosts.

Are sticky catchfly hardy?

Yes, the sticky catchfly is hardy and can tolerate temperatures down to -34 °C without any problems. Plants in pots should be prevented from freezing through the root ball. It is therefore best to place the container in a sheltered place and wrap it in fleece or jute.

Effect and toxicity

Sticky catchfly are considered slightly poisonous. However, as they taste very bitter, the plants are not likely to be eaten by pets or children. The saponins contained can cause irritation of the mucous membranes in humans, which is why hand washing is recommended after touching. Consumption is not advisable in any case.

Sticky catchfly can make an amazing contribution to your bed despite being slightly poisonous, and even the monks knew about the effect of sticky catchfly seeds. An extract was obtained from these, which in turn was used to strengthen other seeds. Researchers from Bonn have finally discovered the plant hormones responsible – so-called brassinosteroids. These have been proven to strengthen the growth of plants and protect them from disease. For example, the plant hormones have a preventive effect against mildew on cucumbers, rust fungi on hollyhocks and grey mould on tomatoes. Because of this property, sticky catchfly are known as Samaritan plants and are used as companion plants in tomato or cucumber cultivation, for example. The hormones are also passed on to the neighbouring plants without extraction.

The black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is not only a beautiful ornamental plant, but also harbours healing properties. Read all about planting and the effect of this enchanting ornamental perennial here.