The chickweed grows to form cushions and conquers an ever larger territory over time. Its evergreen foliage drapes delicately over the ground and pretty white flowers tower above it in early summer. To keep this plant looking good for many years, it needs some care
How do you properly care for chickweed?
Caring for chickweed includes rare but thorough watering, occasional fertilizing with compost or liquid fertilizer, pruning if growth is rampant, division every 2 to 3 years and winter hardiness down to -20 °C without special overwintering.
Do you have to water the chickweed or can it tolerate drought?
Overall, chickweed has a low water requirement. Once it has grown, it tolerates dry periods extremely well. This is why it is ideal for rock gardens and other dry systems. It can get used to water containing lime.
Nevertheless, regular watering is recommended for good growth. Water less frequently but thoroughly so that the plant develops a deep, fine root system. Make sure that there is no accumulation of moisture. Sandweed cannot tolerate this.
Does chickweed need fertilizer?
Inevitably, chickweed does not need fertilizer outdoors. It copes well with poor soils. However, if you hope for abundant flowering that lasts for a long time, you should fertilize this plant with compost once a year - ideally in spring. If the chickweed is in a pot on the balcony, for example, it should be supplied sparingly with liquid fertilizer (€14.00 on Amazon) every 2 to 4 weeks.
What role does cutting this plant play?
This plant should be cut if it has become too sprawling. Old, diseased and weak shoots should also be removed. It is also beneficial if the withered flowers are cut off. Sometimes there is subsequent flowering in autumn.
How is chickweed divided and when?
Sharing works like this:
- every 2 to 3 years
- Reason: rejuvenation, reproduction
- shortly before budding in spring or autumn
- Dig up plant
- cut off old, dead roots
- take away weak shoots
- Divide root balls
- Plant sections in a new location
- Location: sunny, dry
Is wintering necessary?
Whether the chickweed is in the rock garden, in the bed or on a slope or embankment - it does not need to be overwintered. It is hardy down to -20°C. Only in case of late frost in spring should it be protected with brushwood, for example.
Tip
If the chickweed is repotted annually, it does not need to be fertilized.
