Stellaria graminea
Stellaria graminea
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Pl. 0208 — Stellaria graminea
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IOverview
Overview
Stellaria graminea, commonly known as lesser stitchwort, is a perennial plant native to the northern and central regions of Europe, extending into Asia and some Mediterranean countries. It thrives in moist environments with light or partial sun exposure and can tolerate various soil types, from sandy to clay-heavy soils. Native to Afghanistan, Albania, and parts of Europe including Austria and Belarus, this plant is also found across a wide range that includes China, Iran, and Turkey. Lesser stitchwort is valued for its edible shoots, making it a useful addition to gardens or wild harvesting. One distinctive feature of the plant is its small, star-shaped white flowers, which give it its common name.
Quick answers
What is Stellaria graminea?
Stellaria graminea, commonly known as lesser stitchwort, is a perennial plant native to the northern and central regions of Europe, extending into Asia and some Mediterranean countries.
What is Stellaria graminea used for?
Traditionally used for immune support, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Stellaria graminea
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Stellaria graminea has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine to support the immune system, often prepared as a tea. It is believed to help maintain overall health during seasonal changes.
The mechanism by which Stellaria graminea supports the immune system is not fully characterised but may involve antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that modulate immune responses.
- Stellaria graminea has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine to support digestive health, often prepared as a decoction. It is believed to help alleviate minor digestive discomforts.
The mechanism by which Stellaria graminea supports digestion is not fully characterised but may involve compounds that interact with the gastrointestinal tract's smooth muscle and inflammatory pathways.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Stellaria graminea support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Stellaria graminea thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 4-8 and can grow up to 0.5 meters tall. For propagation, use shoots. This perennial plant is native to a wide range of regions including Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and more.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.5 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Stellaria graminea for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple and light approach to growing Stellaria graminea, focusing on basic care.
- 1
What you'll need
A small pot or garden bed, seeds or young plants, good quality soil.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring when the last frost has passed, or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a mix of light (sandy), medium, or heavy clay. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 meters apart in the garden bed or transplant young plants into the prepared soil.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and provide partial sun for best growth.
- 6
Ongoing care
Continue regular watering as needed, especially during dry spells. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back any dead or yellowing leaves to encourage new growth and maintain a neat appearance.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting regular pruning, using heavy clay soil without drainage, and not mulching properly.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Shoots
Edible uses: The shoots of Stellaria graminea are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. Typically, they are prepared fresh in salads for their mild flavor, or steamed as a vegetable side dish. These shoots thrive in light to partial sun with moist soil and are hardy in zones 4-8.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Europe16 regions
native (16)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyRussiaUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia5 regions
native (5)AfghanistanChinaIranKazakhstanNepal
Broader regions
native:Altay, Baltic States, Buryatiya, Czechoslovakia, Irkutsk
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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