Also known as African Dream Root · Gunpowder Plant · Large-Flowered Campion
Cape Catchfly (Silene undulata) is an herbaceous perennial native to South Africa, known for its fragrant white flowers that open at night.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun to Partial Shade
75% intensity
Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Moderate
50% intensity
Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings; reduce in winter.
Well-drained, sandy loam
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Grows best in temperatures between 18-24°C during the day and slightly cooler at night.
Outdoor
50% intensity
Low
25% intensity
Fertilize sparingly during the growing season; avoid in winter.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
Non-toxic
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water moderately during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering significantly in winter, providing just enough to keep the soil from becoming bone dry.
Overwatering can lead to root rot, especially in cooler conditions.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms and maintain a tidy appearance. Lightly prune in late winter or early spring to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing stems and to shape the plant.
Avoid heavy pruning.
Easily propagated from seed sown in spring, either directly outdoors or started indoors a few weeks prior. Softwood cuttings can also be taken in late spring or early summer and rooted in moist, well-draining potting mix.
Repot young plants annually or biennially in spring as they outgrow their containers. Mature plants can be repotted less frequently, every 2-3 years, or simply have the top layer of soil refreshed.
Use a well-draining potting mix.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Cape Catchfly (Silene undulata)
Where Cape Catchfly (Silene undulata) is found
Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Caryophyllaceae |
| Genus | Silene |
| Species | Silene undulata |
Similar in genus Silene
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
