The common chickweed, or simply chickweed (Stellaria media), is an annual plant whose shoots can reach a length of between 5 and 40 centimetres. It grows from autumn to the following summer. In mild regions it can flower as early as February.
What makes it interesting for human consumption is its high vitamin C content. However, it also contains saponin and oxalic acid and should not be eaten in large quantities.
Habitats & distribution
Stellaria media is a common plant in urban areas.
It grows in parks, gardens, along roadsides and even on walls and between stairs.
Its native range includes Europe, Asia and North Africa. As an introduced species, chickweed can also be found in other regions. With the exception of the polar icecaps, chickweed is found all over the world (distribution map).
Chickweed in the garden
Stellaria media is easy to grow in the garden or on the balcony. It can be sown either in spring, from around March, or in early autumn, from September to October.
The sowing depth is about half a centimetre.
At 18 to 20 °C, it takes between 5 and 10 days for the seeds to germinate.
In the garden, chickweed develops best in humus-rich to slightly loamy soil. It can also survive in sandy soil, but remains small there and only produces a small yield.
Peat-free substrates for herbs or vegetables are suitable for sowing in pots.
The soil should be evenly moist and must not dry out on the surface until the seedlings are about 3 centimetres high.
Sunny to semi-shady locations are suitable.
Cerastium tomentosum
Dianthus deltoides
Dianthus plumarius
Polycarpon tetraphyllum (fourleaf manyseed)
Saponaria ocymoides
Silene coronaria