Also known as Campion · 444 saves
Lychnis
Lychnis, the genus most gardeners know as campion. We track 12 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 10 most-saved Lychnis varieties
Browse all 12 Lychnis varieties →
4 species of Lychnis
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Lychnis in Sow
Save the Lychnis you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Lychnis
Whats common across all Lychnis varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 12 most-grown of them.
The Lychnis year
- DeadheadMay–July92% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to prolong bloom and prevent excessive self-seeding.
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March92% of varieties
Cut back old stems to the basal foliage before new spring growth begins.
- DivideMarch and September67% of varieties
Divide clumps every 3-4 years in early fall to maintain vigor
- PlantMarch and September33% of varieties
Plant transplants in spring or fall in well-drained soil.
Do
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Water consistently to keep soil moist 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Water consistently during dry spells 🌱
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t fertilize in late fall
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season
- Plant in poorly drained soil
What goes wrong with Lychnis
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Distorted, sticky leaves with a sooty residue | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Use organic fungicide or improve air circulation |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on foliage, speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with miticide or neem oil |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if necessary |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting despite watering | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Lychnis
Division
- Dig up mature plants in early spring or fall.
- Separate clumps into smaller sections with roots intact.
- Replant immediately at same depth and water thoroughly.
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring, 6 weeks before last frost.
- Keep soil consistently moist until germination, usually in 2-3 weeks.
Lychnis questions
How many types of Lychnis are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 12 distinct Lychnis varieties. The most popular — ranked by 444 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Lychnis grow in?
Across its varieties, Lychnis covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Lychnis bloom?
Most Lychnis varieties bloom in mid-summer, early summer, late spring to late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Lychnis should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.