Common Mouse-ear Chickweed
Cerastium fontanum
Also known as Common Mouse-ear, Mouse-ear Chickweed, Mouse-eared Chickweed
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Mouse-ear Chickweed grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A low-growing, mat-forming groundcover with small hairy leaves and tiny white flowers. Common in lawns and gardens, it spreads readily and tolerates a wide range of conditions.
Why grow it
Common mouse-ear chickweed establishes quickly in compacted or poor soils where other groundcovers struggle, making it useful for erosion control on marginal sites. It tolerates both drought and wet conditions better than many fine-textured alternatives like creeping thyme, though it lacks the aromatic appeal of culinary groundcovers. In permaculture systems, its rapid growth can stabilize bare ground between slower-establishing plants, though site-specific alternatives may offer more permanent or productive functions once established.
Watch out for
This species can self-seed prolifically once established, potentially outcompeting intentionally planted neighbors if not managed. Its shallow root system means it may not anchor soil as effectively as deeper-rooted groundcovers on steep slopes. In wet seasons or poorly drained sites, dense mats can trap moisture and create conditions favorable to fungal issues in nearby plantings.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
Native Range
Europe and western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-growing, mat-forming groundcover with small hairy leaves and tiny white flowers. Common in lawns and gardens, it spreads readily and tolerates a wide range of conditions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Mouse-ear Chickweed grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Common mouse-ear chickweed establishes quickly in compacted or poor soils where other groundcovers struggle, making it useful for erosion control on marginal sites. It tolerates both drought and wet conditions better than many fine-textured alternatives like creeping thyme, though it lacks the aromatic appeal of culinary groundcovers. In permaculture systems, its rapid growth can stabilize bare ground between slower-establishing plants, though site-specific alternatives may offer more permanent or productive functions once established.
Watch out for
This species can self-seed prolifically once established, potentially outcompeting intentionally planted neighbors if not managed. Its shallow root system means it may not anchor soil as effectively as deeper-rooted groundcovers on steep slopes. In wet seasons or poorly drained sites, dense mats can trap moisture and create conditions favorable to fungal issues in nearby plantings.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
Native Range
Europe and western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.