Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays moist.

Yes, it is a short lived perennial that often self seeds.

Plant guide

Red campion.

Silene dioica

Pronounced sy-LEE-nee dy-OH-ih-kuh

Also known as Red Campion, Red Catchfly

Red campion is a lovely wildflower that brings a splash of pink to woodland edges and hedgerows. It is a hardy perennial that thrives in cool, moist conditions. You will find it is a favorite among local pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Another photo of Red campion — Photo by Jon Sullivan (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial wildflower
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 30 to 90 cm
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to mimic its natural woodland home. Watch for wilting during dry spells, which signals a need for extra hydration. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage a longer flowering season.

Watering: Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Remove faded flowers regularly to promote new growth and prevent self seeding.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger container once the roots fill the current pot.
Soil: Moist, well drained, fertile soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -25 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Short lived perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water draining through the pot too quickly.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains saponins which can cause mild digestive irritation if ingested in large quantities.
Children: The plant is not particularly dangerous, but children should be discouraged from eating any part of it.
Contact allergens: Handling the stems may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to fine hairs.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is generally not considered a significant allergen.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be avoided for consumption.

How to identify it

Deep pink to magenta five petaled flowers
Hairy stems and leaves
Opposite, oval shaped green leaves
Flowers bloom in loose clusters

Height: 0.3 to 0.7m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: pink, magenta, 2 to 3cm
Fruit: brown, Late summer

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
RustCommon
Powdery MildewUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The foliage may die back in cold climates, but the roots are hardy. Simply clear away dead debris in early spring to make room for new growth.
In containers: It can be grown in containers, but it prefers being planted in the ground to spread naturally.

Seed

1. Collect seeds from dried capsules in late summer.
2. Sow seeds directly into prepared soil in autumn or spring.
3. Keep the soil moist until germination occurs.

Division

1. Carefully lift the clump in spring.
2. Divide the root ball into smaller sections.
3. Replant immediately and water well.

Plant in groups to create a naturalistic drift that attracts more pollinators to your garden.

Grows well with

Bluebell · They share similar woodland habitat requirements and bloom at the same time.
Foxglove · They provide a classic cottage garden look and thrive in similar light conditions.

Similar species

White Campion · It is a very close relative that looks similar but has white flowers and blooms at night.

Science

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Silene
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and western Asia.
Conservation: It is a common and widespread species with no special conservation status.

It thrives in damp woodlands and hedgerows where it can easily spread via seed.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: wildflower meadows, pollinator gardens, woodland borders

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays moist.
Is it a perennial?: Yes, it is a short lived perennial that often self seeds.

Where the name comes from

Silene is thought to be derived from the Greek god Silenus who was often depicted as covered in foam, similar to the sticky secretions of some species. The name dioica highlights the separate male and female plants.

Good to know

It is often called red campion.
The specific epithet dioica refers to the fact that male and female flowers grow on separate plants.
It hybridizes readily with Silene latifolia.

Keep your red campion growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.