How much sun does Common Mouse-ear need?

Common Mouse-ear grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Common Mouse-ear bloom?

Common Mouse-ear blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and October.

What pollinators does Common Mouse-ear attract?

Common Mouse-ear draws bees and beetles.

Is Common Mouse-ear HOA-friendly?

Common Mouse-ear takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Common Mouse-ear

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cerastium fontanum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Common Mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Native alternatives to Common Mouse-ear

Common Mouse-ear is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Common mouse-ear is a low-growing perennial groundcover with small, fuzzy gray-green leaves and tiny white flowers. It blooms for an exceptionally long season from spring through fall, forming dense mats that spread readily. This hardy plant tolerates various conditions and can fill in spaces between other plantings.

In an HOA neighborhood

Common Mouse-ear takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Often considered a weedy lawn invader
Can spread aggressively and look unkempt
May be mistaken for common lawn weeds

Wildlife value

The extended bloom period provides nectar for bees and beetles throughout most of the growing season. Its low, dense growth habit also offers shelter for beneficial ground-dwelling insects.

Common questions

How much sun does Common Mouse-ear need?: Common Mouse-ear grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Common Mouse-ear bloom?: Common Mouse-ear blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and October.
What pollinators does Common Mouse-ear attract?: Common Mouse-ear draws bees and beetles.
Is Common Mouse-ear HOA-friendly?: Common Mouse-ear takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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