Also known as Campion · 396 gardener saves
Lychnis: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Lychnis, the genus most gardeners know as campion. We track 12 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Lychnis varieties
Of 12 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedPetite Jenny Ragged Robin
Lychnis flos-cuculi 'Petite Jenny'
#2 most savedLychnis x arkwrightii Orange Zwerg
Lychnis x arkwrightii 'Orange Zwerg'
#3 most savedCuckoo Flower
Lychnis flos-cuculi 'Petite Henri'
Siebold's Campion
Lychnis sieboldii
Rose Campion
Lychnis atrosanguinea
Maltese Cross
Lychnis chalcedonica
Orange Sherbet Campion
Lychnis coronata 'Orange Sherbet'
Sweet Orange Campion
Lychnis cognata 'Sweet Orange'
Ragged-robin
Lychnis flos-cuculi
Rose Campion
Lychnis coronaria
Maltese Cross
Lychnis coronaria 'Maltese Cross'
White Campion
Lychnis coronaria 'Alba'
How to grow Lychnis
What the Lychnis varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 12 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
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 396 real gardener saves — 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 late spring to late summer, mid-summer, late spring. 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.
Keep exploring
Lychnis shows up in
Design with Lychnis in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
