How much sun does Giant Chickweed need?

Giant Chickweed grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Giant Chickweed bloom?

Giant Chickweed blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.

What pollinators does Giant Chickweed attract?

Giant Chickweed draws bees and flies.

Is Giant Chickweed HOA-friendly?

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

Giant Chickweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Stellaria aquatica

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Giant Chickweed (Stellaria aquatica) 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

high

Size

8"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Pollinators

bees, flies

Native alternatives to Giant Chickweed

Giant Chickweed 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.

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Giant chickweed is a sprawling annual wildflower that thrives in moist, shaded areas. It produces small white star-shaped flowers continuously from late spring through early fall. This plant naturally grows in wet meadows and along stream banks.

In an HOA neighborhood

Giant Chickweed 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.

Has a distinctly weedy appearance
Sprawling growth habit looks unkempt
Name includes 'chickweed' which sounds like a weed

Wildlife value

The long blooming period provides nectar for various bees and flies from May through September. Seeds may also provide food for small birds.

Common questions

How much sun does Giant Chickweed need?: Giant Chickweed grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Giant Chickweed bloom?: Giant Chickweed blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.
What pollinators does Giant Chickweed attract?: Giant Chickweed draws bees and flies.
Is Giant Chickweed HOA-friendly?: Giant Chickweed 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.

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