How much sun does Sleepy Catchfly need?

Sleepy Catchfly grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Sleepy Catchfly bloom?

Sleepy Catchfly blooms in May, June, July, and August.

Where is Sleepy Catchfly native?

Sleepy Catchfly (Silene antirrhina) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 43 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Sleepy Catchfly attract?

Sleepy Catchfly draws bees and beetles.

Is Sleepy Catchfly HOA-friendly?

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

Sleepy Catchfly

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Silene antirrhina

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Sleepy Catchfly (Silene antirrhina) 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

4"–24" H × 2"–8" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 43 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Southern Texas Plains Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Piedmont Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Sleepy catchfly is a delicate annual wildflower with small pink or white flowers that bloom from late spring through summer. This compact native plant has a slender, upright growth habit and thrives in sunny, dry locations with minimal care.

In an HOA neighborhood

Sleepy Catchfly 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.

Very small flowers may appear weedy to neighbors
Annual lifecycle creates gaps when plants die
Informal wildflower appearance conflicts with manicured landscapes

Wildlife value

The small flowers attract native bees and beetles during its long blooming season from May through August.

Common questions

How much sun does Sleepy Catchfly need?: Sleepy Catchfly grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Sleepy Catchfly bloom?: Sleepy Catchfly blooms in May, June, July, and August.
Where is Sleepy Catchfly native?: Sleepy Catchfly (Silene antirrhina) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 43 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Sleepy Catchfly attract?: Sleepy Catchfly draws bees and beetles.
Is Sleepy Catchfly HOA-friendly?: Sleepy Catchfly takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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

Ready to grow Sleepy Catchfly? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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