Also known as Campion · 591 saves
Silene
Silene, the genus most gardeners know as campion. We track 17 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 15 most-saved Silene varieties
Browse all 17 Silene varieties →
6 species of Silene
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Silene in Sow
Save the Silene you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Silene
Whats common across all Silene varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 17 most-grown of them.
The Silene year
- DeadheadMay–July76% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to maintain tidy appearance.
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March53% of varieties
Cut back dead stems to the ground before new growth starts.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October47% of varieties
Plant transplants in spring or sow seeds in fall.
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Water during dry spells 🌱
- Water during dry spells to keep soil moist 🌱
Avoid
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Don’t disturb roots during flowering
What goes wrong with Silene
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on stems and leaves | Use insecticidal soap and increase humidity |
| Generally pest-free | The sticky stems deter crawling pests | Monitor only; no routine treatment needed |
| Slugs | Holes in leaves, slime trails | Apply organic slug bait or copper tape |
| Root rot | Wilting, yellowing leaves | Improve drainage, reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply neem oil or sulfur-based fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Use organic fungicide and improve air circulation |
Making more Silene
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Maintain soil moisture for 4-6 weeks until germination.
Division
- Divide clumps in early spring or fall
- Plant divisions at same depth and water thoroughly
Silene questions
How many types of Silene are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 17 distinct Silene varieties. The most popular — ranked by 591 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Silene grow in?
Across its varieties, Silene covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Silene bloom?
Most Silene varieties bloom in late spring, early summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Silene 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.