Royal catchfly
Silene regia
Last reviewed: September 2026
Royal catchfly (Silene regia) is a tall prairie forb with brilliant scarlet flowers that bloom from June through August. It thrives in full sun with low water needs and draws hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies.
Toxicity unknown
Royal catchfly (Silene regia) 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
full sun
Water
low
Size
24"–48" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, GA, IL and 6 more states
Pollinators
hummingbirds, swallowtail butterflies
Before you buy
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A tall prairie catchfly with brilliant scarlet star-shaped flowers on stiff upright stems. It is deep-rooted, long-lived, and slow to establish, preferring full sun and well-drained soil in open sunny plantings.
Growing Royal catchfly
Grow Royal catchfly in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Wildlife value
One of the few true red-flowered prairie forbs, pollinated primarily by ruby-throated hummingbirds and large swallowtails.
Common questions
- When does Silene regia bloom?
- Royal catchfly typically flowers from June through August, producing clusters of bright red tubular blooms atop stiff upright stems.
- What pollinators visit royal catchfly?
- The tubular red flowers of Silene regia are well suited to hummingbirds, and swallowtail butterflies also visit for nectar.
- How much water does royal catchfly need?
- Once established, this plant tolerates low water and dry spells well, though it also performs fine with moderate moisture in well drained soil.
- What growing conditions does royal catchfly prefer?
- It grows best in full sun to light part sun, in open prairie or savanna type settings with well drained soil and good air circulation around its upright stems.
- Does royal catchfly spread aggressively in a garden bed?
- No, it tends to form an upright clump rather than spreading by runners, so it works well as a specimen or in small groupings within a sunny border.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Royal catchfly? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.