Moss Campion
Silene acaulis
Also listed as Cucubalus acaulis, Cucubalus muscosus
Also known as Cushion Pink
Climate Match for your location
See how well Moss Campion grows in your area.
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An extremely hardy alpine groundcover forming dense, cushion-like mats covered with tiny pink or purple flowers in summer. Ideal for rock gardens, scree, and alpine troughs in cold climates.
Why grow it
Moss campion outperforms most other alpine groundcovers in extreme cold and exposure, thriving in USDA zones 2-4 where alternatives struggle. Its dense, low-growing habit (typically under 1 inch tall) makes it useful for filling crevices in rock gardens and alpine troughs while requiring minimal soil depth. Unlike taller alpine species, it tolerates foot traffic moderately well once established, making it practical for paths in alpine gardens.
Watch out for
Establishment is slow, often taking 2-3 years to fill a space, so patience is needed before judging success. The plant dislikes wet winters and heavy clay soils, performing best in gritty, well-draining media; conversely, it can dry out quickly in containers during growing season. In warmer climates or sheltered lowland sites, it tends to decline or become prone to fungal issues rather than thriving.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Alpine and arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
An extremely hardy alpine groundcover forming dense, cushion-like mats covered with tiny pink or purple flowers in summer. Ideal for rock gardens, scree, and alpine troughs in cold climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Moss Campion grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Moss campion outperforms most other alpine groundcovers in extreme cold and exposure, thriving in USDA zones 2-4 where alternatives struggle. Its dense, low-growing habit (typically under 1 inch tall) makes it useful for filling crevices in rock gardens and alpine troughs while requiring minimal soil depth. Unlike taller alpine species, it tolerates foot traffic moderately well once established, making it practical for paths in alpine gardens.
Watch out for
Establishment is slow, often taking 2-3 years to fill a space, so patience is needed before judging success. The plant dislikes wet winters and heavy clay soils, performing best in gritty, well-draining media; conversely, it can dry out quickly in containers during growing season. In warmer climates or sheltered lowland sites, it tends to decline or become prone to fungal issues rather than thriving.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Alpine and arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
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:
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