Silene | Catchfly: Non-toxic Flowering Perennial For Dogs & Cats
Rest assured that Catchfly is non-toxic to dogs and cats. We check the flowers we feature on our site with the ASPCA and do extensive internet research for both the common and scientific name just to be super pet safe. If we cannot find direct reference, we check up to genus and so on until we can confirm whether a plant is toxic or non toxic to both cats and dogs. If we are not sure, or get contradictory information, we do not include it. Many of the plants featured we have grown successfully in our own pet safe garden in Northern California. You can see many of garden stars in photos from Lovie’s Pet Safe Garden.
Physical Attributes
- Height: 1-2 feet (30-60 cm)[1]
- Spread: 6-9 inches (15-23 cm)[1]
- Flowers: Bright pink, rounded clusters[1]
- Blooming season: Mid to late summer[1]
- Leaves: Opposite, lanceolate, with sticky stems[1][2]
- Growth habit: Erect annual or short-lived perennial[1][2]
General Care Tips
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade[1][3]
- Soil: Well-drained, chalk, loam, or sand[1]
- Water needs: Low, drought-tolerant once established[1]
- Maintenance: Low[1]
- Hardiness zones: 5-8[1]
- Propagation: Easily grown from seeds[2]
- Spacing: 6-9 inches apart[1]
Fun Facts
- Common name “Catchfly” comes from sticky stems that can trap small insects[1][2]
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds[1]
- Some species, like Silene noctiflora, open flowers at night and close in bright morning light[2]
- Certain Silene species were used as food by Arctic and Alpine communities[3]
- The genus name Silene is derived from the Greek word “seilenos,” referring to Silenus, foster father of Bacchus[2]
- Royal Catchfly (Silene regia) has bright red flowers that are especially attractive to hummingbirds[4]
| Consideration | Answer |
|---|---|
| Container Friendly | Yes |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Outdoor |
| Sun/Shade | Full sun to partial shade |
| Perennial/Annual | Perennial or short-lived annual |
| Flowering | Mid to late summer |
| Drought Tolerant | Yes, once established |
| Pollinator Magnet | Yes, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes, low maintenance |
| Good Ground Cover | Yes, in some varieties |
| Good Privacy Screen | No, typically too short |
| Invasive/Spreader | Some species can self-seed readily |
| Hearty/Delicate | Generally hearty |
| Rodent Repellant | No specific information available |
| Deer Resistant | Some varieties are deer resistant |
| Native To | Europe, but naturalized in most of the US |
| Ideal States/Regions | Hardiness zones 5-8, adaptable to various regions |
Citations:
[1] https://www.gardenia.net/plant/silene-armeria-garden-catchfly
[2] https://costafarms.com/blogs/plant-finder/catchfly
[3] https://www.friendsofeloisebutler.org/pages/plants/nightflowercatchfly.html
[4] https://www.ancientrootsnativenursery.com/Plant-Name/Silene-regia-Royal-Catchfly
[5] https://www.prairienursery.com/royal-catchfly-silene-regia.html
[6] https://www.gardenia.net/plant/silene-armeria-garden-catchfly
[7] https://www.friendsofeloisebutler.org/pages/plants/nightflowercatchfly.html
[8] https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/silene-acaulis/
[9] https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SIRE2
[10] https://www.newmoonnursery.com/plant/Silene-regia
