What it is
Chickweed (Stellaria media) is in the Caryophyllaceae (Pink) family. A mild, tender cool-season green that carpets gardens in winter. One key ID trait keeps you safe.
How to grow it
It wants part shade, water it moderate, and give it rich, moist soil. Target a soil pH around Adaptable. Expect roughly Cool months. Cool-season annual.
How it's used
Chickweed is used: raw in salad, cooked.
🔎 How to identify it
- Tiny opposite oval leaves
- One line of hairs along the stem
- Small white star flowers (5 deeply split petals look like 10)
Edibility
PartsLeaves and stems
UsesRaw in salad, cooked
CautionConfirm the single line of hairs on the stem — see lookalikes.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.
Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.