Does it need a lot of water?

Yes, it prefers consistently moist to wet soil and does not tolerate drying out.

Will it spread on its own?

It can self-seed readily in ideal conditions, creating lovely naturalized drifts.

Plant guide

Ragged Robin.

Silene flos-cuculi

Pronounced sy-LEE-nee floss-KYOO-kyoo-lye

Also known as Meadow Campion, Ragged Robin, Ragged-Robin

Ragged Robin is a lovely wildflower that brings a touch of the meadow to your garden. It loves damp spots and produces delicate, shredded pink petals that look like they are dancing in the breeze. It is a fantastic choice if you want to support local pollinators.

Another photo of Ragged Robin — Photo by Rachel Hutchison (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 30 to 90 centimeters
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist as this plant naturally thrives in damp meadows. Watch for wilting if the ground dries out too much during the heat of summer. Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage a second flush of blooms.

Watering: Keep the soil damp but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Cut back faded flower stalks to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Refresh the soil every couple of years to maintain nutrient levels.
Soil: Moist, fertile, well-draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -25 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
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.
The plant drying out much faster than usual.
Stunted growth despite regular watering.

Safety

People: The plant contains saponins which can cause mild digestive upset if ingested in large quantities.
Children: Keep away from small children as ingestion of any part of the plant may cause stomach discomfort.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Deeply divided, shredded pink petals
Slender, hairy stems
Basal rosette of lance shaped leaves
Dark reddish purple calyx

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.45m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: pink, white, 3 to 4cm

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small insects that may cluster on new growth and flower buds.
Rust · Fungal infection causing orange or brown spots on the undersides of leaves.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your ragged robin from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back the dead foliage in late autumn or early spring. Ensure the crown remains protected from extreme drying winds during winter.
In containers: It can be grown in containers if kept in a self-watering pot or a saucer filled with water to ensure constant moisture.

Seed Sowing

Sow seeds in trays during autumn or early spring.
Keep the soil consistently moist until germination occurs.
Transplant seedlings into their final damp location once they are large enough to handle.

Division

Dig up the clump in early spring as new growth begins.
Gently pull the root mass apart into smaller sections.
Replant the divisions immediately into moist soil and water thoroughly.

Group this plant with other moisture-loving perennials to create a self-sustaining bog garden or damp border.

Grows well with

Marsh Marigold · They share similar requirements for consistently moist soil.
Meadowsweet · This plant provides a beautiful textural contrast in damp meadow settings.

Similar species

Red Campion · A close relative that prefers slightly drier woodland or hedgerow conditions.

Science

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Silene
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of western Asia.
Conservation: It is declining in some parts of its range due to the loss of traditional wet meadow habitats.

It is a wetland specialist that relies on damp meadows and fens to maintain its moisture needs throughout the growing season.

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

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: Yes, it prefers consistently moist to wet soil and does not tolerate drying out.
Will it spread on its own?: It can self-seed readily in ideal conditions, creating lovely naturalized drifts.

Where the name comes from

The common name Ragged Robin refers to the tattered look of the petals, while the scientific name Silene flos-cuculi links it to the cuckoo, which begins calling when the plant blooms.

Good to know

It is commonly known as Ragged Robin.
The species name flos-cuculi translates literally to flower of the cuckoo.
It thrives in damp, marshy ground where many other garden plants struggle.
The flowers are perfectly adapted for long-tongued insects like butterflies and moths.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.